IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING BOLSHEVISM

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22269, 7 December 1937, Page 15

IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING BOLSHEVISM

TO THB BDITOB or TOT PEEBB. Sir,—The utility of Bolshevism in Russia or the reverse is so much written about that its utility to people other than Russians or Bolshevists is obscured. . Lenin was injected into Russia by Germany in 1917 with the object of causing a revolution and thus dividing Germany's opponents. This was a successful major diplomatic feat, and as such it rivals the French assistance to the Reformed Church in Germany in the sixteenth century, by which France divided and weakened Germany for centuries. Bolshevism is now as potent a diplomatic weapon as sectarian strife was in the sixteenth century. "We can only avoid a desperate struggle in which Germany will endeavour to get bloody satisfaction for the humiliations we were mainly responsible for inflicting on her by achieving a diplomatic victory that would make such an enterprise hopeless for Germany. This means maintaining the Bolshevik rdgime in Russia and keeping that country hostile to Germany. Should Germany convert Russia to Nazism, peaceably or forcibly, the British Empire will cease to exi g^ Y B u^LE: Darfleld, December 6, 1937.

tO TH« IDITOB OJT TH» PBEBS. Sir, —Your correspondent "J.H.D." is correct in his surmise that many are interested in "that mysterious and game little bird," and many wxll be surprised by his statement that waxeyes are not protected, and grieved if it is true. That all wild birds should be protected against imprisonment is the very decided opinion of all bird lovers. The fact that a wax-eye "J.H.D." has in captivity trills out its sweet little song at least proves that it is game; but if his ear was truly in tune I doubt not he would have traced a theme of sadness running through the melody. The sweet little song of these birds from a branch of a shady tree could be likened to "that of a roller canary," truly, but it is sweeter and softer. I can hardly think "J.H.D." is serious about the "other native birds, such as tomtits, wrens, fantails, tuis, bellbirds, and native pigeons, etc.," for they are rigidly, and rightly, protected, and a large aviary would not be the place for gaining "a still better knowledge of bird life." If "J.H.D." is a lover of birds, let him go to their native haunts, as I do, and he will be thrilled by the opportunity they will give him of a close and intimate acquaintance. They will come to within a few feet of him, all the ones he has mentioned and others, too, and give him melody much more beautiful than that of any caged birds. On a recent occasion, the chief performers were three "mockies," very friendly birds, while a bellbird, perhaps the shyest of them all, kept ringing out the chimes away up among the branches. A wood-pigeon came after some coprosma berries, and its,weight swung a long slender branch down to within about six feet of my head when it lighted on the end of it. I could not conceive of a better opportunity of observing and admiring this magnificent but now sadly rare native bird. I do appeal to your correspondent to open the door of his aviary and with true generosity provide, outside the same, bounteous fare; and (believe! me) he will be richly rewarded with endless opportunity for studying all kinds of birds. The fare he provides is certainly not suitable for all the birds he mentions; but if there are tuis about, a pot of honey and water will Drove a lure that will gain for him an intimate acquaintance.—Yours, etc., H. G. BAILEY, Scarborough, December 6, 1937. •

TO THE IDITOB OF Tint PEEBB. Sir, —la last Friday's issue of "The Fress'' your correspondent "J.H.D." says it astonished him to learn that wax-eyes can burst into song. I long ago discovered this by li&tening stilly below, and pcerir.g up into, the tree where the little songster was performing—not by keeping him in captivity. The song is, a.* "J.H.D." describes it, "a low, sweet, and varied trill." When I hear this song it always seems to me that the songster is soliloquising. "J.H.D." goes on to give a list of the items of diet on. which he has

succeeded in keeping five captive waxeyes in apparent good health. It seems a lot of trouble to go to for the net result of making five birds unhappy. He states that he "now feels confident that many other native birds such as tomtits, wrens, fantails, Vuis, bellbirds, and native pigeons, etc.. could be kept in captivity successfully in a fairly large aviary with the foods mentioned." Ye gods! Wili nobody catch and cage these catchers and cagers?—Yours, etc., R.R.M. December 6, 1937.