THE TABRIZ MASSACRE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14237, 28 December 1911, Page 6

THE TABRIZ MASSACRE.

It report does not lie, the Russian has once more been scratched and the Tartar found under., his skin. The terrible story wo publish thie morning of Russian atrocities in tho Persian city of Tabriz may be an addition to the shameful list of cruelties wrought on uncivilised and eemi-civiliscd peoples by tho armies of Europe. A vigorous denial of tho statements has been made by x tho Russian ConsulGeneral at Tabriz, but Russia's reputation in this respect is not good, find pretty strong testimony will be required mako people believe there is nothing in the charges now. brought against her soldiers. One remembers the infainous massacre at Blagovestchensk in 1900, when over 4000 unarmed Chinese, including women and children, were butchered or tiiowned by tho Cossacks. There, as in tho case of Tripoli, military exigencies were advanced as a justification for tht> measures taken. Assuming that there is some truth in the story ye publish, «o far as wo can tell at present them' was no excuse for the massacre. It occurred apparently after tho Persian Government had submitted to the Russian terms. An unfortunate featuro of tho affair is that at present Great Britain is involved with Russia in the question of Persia. Russia has given England guarantees that she will not remain in Northern Persia, and if she adheres to these 't it hard to see what England can do. But if Russia were to break her word and turn her sphcro of influence in .Northern Persia into a Russian province, tho English Government would be compelled to take some decisive action. Tho British Government must bo fooling very juuch embarrassed, by what is taking place, and future developments will be watched with some anxiety. .Sir Edward Grey very properly refused to disouss the conduct of Italy in Tripoli. Tho Ministry, however, can hardly affect, to iguoro what is taking place in Persia siiould any questions be asked on tho subject. If tho Prime Minister liad made his visit to Christchurch to-morrow instead of to-day, it might have been thought that ho was intent on forgetting political worries in the pleasure of watching the Davis Cup matches. As it is, the announcement that he is paying us merely a*flying visit and will be back in Wellington to-morrow, has naturally set tongues wagging. The political , situation is so full of interest, and the Prime Minister is so very slow in making up his mind as to what ho

sliottld do, that people are inclined to look at everything Sir Joseph does just hot as possibly indicating his final purpose, but tbe theory that he is on his way to consult his Excellency or to hand, in his resignation has at least some appearance of-probability. Mr TVilford's departure for tho Old Country to-day certainly Sir Joseph's position, already far from easy. Giving the Government every member who is likely to support them in a no-confidence division, we cannot see how they can muster more than 38, against the total of 42 voting against .the Government. TVe have included in the Government list such Independents as Messrs Isitt, Coates, anrl Rhodes, and have given them one Labour member, Mr Hindmareh. On the other hand, we have assumed that the three Labour members, Messrs Veitch, Robertson, and Payne, who owe their election to the Reform Party's support, will act in accordance with their platform pledges, and will therefore voto to turn out the Government, and that Mr Atmore, the Nelson Independent, will also vote with Mr Massey. Under the circumstances, we do not sco whero Sir Joseph Ward can hope to get sufficient support to warrant him in thinking he can carry on. If ho chooses to try to do so he must, further weaken his forces by nominating some one—no doubt Sir Arthur Guinness—as Speaker, and Mr "Wilford's absence will mean the loss of another vote, so that at the outsido his party can consist of only thirty-six members, as against tho forty-two following Mr Massey. Surely not even the Prime Ministers inveterate optimism can lead him to sco anything hopeful for his side in such a situation.

Tho statement by Mr Buddo regarding tho overcrowding in the mental hospitals tolls us nothing that w« did not know. The increase in the number of mental patients is, of course, closely connected with tho increase in population, but it is rather.lato"in tho day for tho Government to recognise that simple fact. If it had made provision for the larger number of patients instead of talking about doing so for years the present deplorable situation would not have arisen. In view of tho fact that many months ago the erection of additional accommodation at the Auckland mental hospital was authorised, we fail to see tho point of Mr Buddo's remark that it had not boon anticipated that increased accommodation would bo required befoco tho new buildings ap Tokanui—tho foundation stone of which was laid the other day— woro ready. Judging by tho rate of construction , of other Government buildings, it will be years before the new institution is available, whilo an imperative need for further accommodation at Auckland exists to-day.

Wo are not disposed to put upon Mr Buddo the solo blame for the horrible state of things at Auckland, to which Mr Ewington has again drawn public attention. Ho only took over tho control of such institutions on tho resignation of Mr Fowlds and cannot fairly be condemned for that gentleman's administrative- shortcomings. But now that ho knows "tho present condition of affairs, Mr Buddo must be held directly responsible • for anything that may result from its continuance. It is no its© to administer soothing syrup to the public in the shapo of promises of tho completion of additional accommodation at some futuro time. What is wanted —what humanity demands—is that steps shall be token at once to prevent insane patients being huddled together, under the most dreadful conditions, as is tho case at Avondale. There is at present all the material in that institution for a' disaster that would shock Australasia and compel the instant resignation of tho responsible Minister. '

The "Voice of Labour," tho official orsan of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Labour Party, and strongly opposed to the revolutionary policy of tho Federation of Labour, has some pertinent remarks on the elections. . It declares that whatever Labour -may have had in common with the Ballanco or .Seddon Administration, it had nothing in common with the Ward Government. Tho latter, it points out, camo before the electors "with no constructive policy whatsoever." "Its only answer to the demands of Labour was to rummage among the .dry, bones of the , past and fish out something that Seddon or Ballance or Reeves or somebody else did ten, fifteen, or twenty years' ago. Waving this round his head, the averago Liberal thought ho had only to shriek loud enough about Sir Harry Atkinson's 5s a day and sonp kitchens, to ensure the return of hie party and the defeat of the Bofonn Party." The plan,' of course, failed; the days aro past when a political party can safely appeal for a renewal of tho country's confidence on the strength of performances by somebody else, and abuse of its opponents. And, as tho "Voice" adds, "the Opposition Party has during the last-ten years grown, steadily more democratic, and tho Liberal Party steadily more reactionary."

As the Labour organ admits, both Labourites and Reformers understand that there aro planks in tho platforms of each party ■which tho other does not endorse, but there are also many points of agreement on which they can work togother. Tho first of these is "tho necessity of combining to "displace, {he Ward Administration from office, and to clean up the finances of the country.'' Another point in common is the necesj sity of making the Legislative Council !an elective body. The abolition of De- ! partmental secrets, and the furnishing Ito tho public of Departmental accounts iis also a matter on which the Reform j and Labour Parties agree heartily. There aro other features of tho Reform programme which come within the scope of tho Labcrar Party's policy. There are, no doubt, still others on which agreement is at present unlikely. But it is gratifying to find that this Labour journal, speaking for tho most importaant, section of Labour; recognises that the Reform Party is not the party of reaction and stagnation that the Ward Government and its supporters would have the public believe it is.