Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST llth, 1920. THE YELLOW PERIL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 August 1920, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST llth, 1920. THE YELLOW PERIL.

Politically as well as economically The present year has been marked by many changes in Europe, in both respects the world’s situation is contused, but out of the confusion certain new ■ influences are beginning* to emerge. The political deadlock left by the peace has not been removed, and at the present moment, indeed, it seems to be intensified, and once again the Red Terror seems about to sweep westward. The Poles in their dire extremity have appealed for succour; but France alone seems to show a genuine willingness to respond. Great Britain, may well be excused just now, for the stupidity of her Government has involved her in several very serious domestic problems for which it will be found very difficult to find a solution. Mr Lloyd George seems disinclined to advocate strong measures against the Bolshevists. Tin’s is due mainly to the fact that he does not cafe to rouse the opposition of the British

Labour Party who, while quite uuwiiing' to imitate the extreme steps adopted h} r the Russian Bolshevists, nevertheless have a great deal of sympathy for them. They .disapprove of the barbarities which marred the early part of the Soviet regime in Russia, but find ,nn excuse for it in the shocking’ betrayal of the people by the Tsar and his myrmidons in the early stages of "the war. The British Labour Party is most anxious that the Russians should be left to work out their own salvation without any Allied interference. Prom,fhe first, they strongly opposed the Polish invasion of Rus-

sia, and they made energetic protests to the British (fovernment that pressure should be brought in bear on the Poles to compel them to return to their own territory; It is not likely, therefore, that they will permit British troops to be despatched for,service in Poland against the Reds. Mr Lloyd George, who finds his position as leader of the Coalition Government to he somewhat insecure, seems to be inclined' to make friends with the Extreme Labour Party. The Unionists in the National Government are far horn .satisfied with Mr Lloyd George’s weak policy with regard to the Irish question. The Labour Party is similarly displeased, and the Little ‘Welshman’s endeavour to placate everyone is likely to land, him in trouble. The European situation is growing almost as ominous as it was in the fateful days of 1014. Europe seems to lack men of strong will and resolute purpose. The old fondness for underhand plotting is greatly in evidence. One nation is suspicious of the other. It is a sad a,; i r 4.1,_

thing- to say, but the Allies are , now Allies only in name. Very little indeed is needed to an open breach. Jealousy is at the - root of all the trouble. Germany is playing- her cards with marvellous astuteness, and if matters continue as they are doing- she ■will soon be in a position to make her voice heard as of old in the European Chancellories. Thanks to the divisions that have arisen amongst the Allies since the Armistice, Germany is slowly but surely winning- her wav back to the position that.she held prior to the fatal plunge In 1914. The German diplomats are watchingthe Russian developments with the keenest attention. They have net yet made up their minds how to act. Thev do not wish to make

any further blunders such as that when they endeavoured to use their war machine to crush civilisation and impose noon it German militarism. The Germans have not vet made up Emir minds whether to defy the Allies, throw in their lot with Russia and resume their effort at world enuoup.st, or to approach the Allies and offer to undertake the task of suppressing the Russian Bolshevists. The second alternative would, of course, he at a price which the Teutons would take care would be in full recompense for the service they rendered. The Allies must pull themselves together and. put aside their petty jealousies. The times are too serious for.any paltry bickerings. The whole world is a quiver, and it would take very little to precipitate a crisis that would make even the Great War appear paltry and insignificant. While European nations are quarrellingamongst themselves, the Asiatic hordes are taking advantage of the- chance to plot the overthrow of the Christian rulers. The day is not far distant when Europe will have to fig-lit as a united people to- prevent the invasion of Asiatic hordes. Many writers have told various accounts of how this may occur, hut their writings have provoked nothing hut ar- amused smile, and have no

Dion' effect than the warnings of William Le Queux and Lord Roberts with regard to the German menace had on the English people. The Yellow Peril is some-, thing' more than an old wife’s tale. It is a menace that is growingl nearer as the years g'o by. There is an old saying', “Scratch a Russian and yon catch a. Tatar.” Tin’s is true, and wo must understand that in the advance of the Pod Army into Poland we have the vanganird of the great Asiatic force that will yet threaten European civilisation with destruction. If we view the invasion of Poland in this aspect we will understand the importance of giving' succour to those who in. the past stood against the advancing' Asiatic hordes and saved Christianity. It is even yet not too late.