Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1927. BRITAIN & RUSSIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 February 1927, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1927. BRITAIN & RUSSIA

Dwellers in the overseas lands of the Empire do not worry much about the Russian propaganda against all things British, but in the Homeland resentment is keenly felt. Protests have been made before by the Imperial Government, and solemn promises of amendment have been made by the Soviet, but such promises have not proved worth anything. The Bolsheviki realise that their failure (o convert, the world to Communism is partly due to British influences, and in revenge, they seize every opportunity to create hatred of Britain and the Empire generally. India, Egypt, and China, Afghanistan, Persia, and indeed nearly every Asiatic land has been the scene of such Bolshevik tactics, and if ever one Government had a just cause for complaint against another, it is the British against the Russian.

Another protest has been sent by Britain to Russia, overwhelming evidence accompanying the note. It is doubtful if much good will arise. The Soviet’s policy is frankly anti-British, and any number of notes, may have little effect. The Russians realise that Britain is unlikely to take military action, and moreover they rely on backing from the British Labour Party. War with Russia would, of course, be an absurd crime at the present juncture, and no Briton of intelligence would advocate such a policy to bring the Soviet to reason. The Bolsheviki, should they fail to. cease their anti-British tactics, must be dealt with by economic pressure, and by withdrawing “recognition.” It may be that 'the' unexpected will happen, and an agreeable surprise result from the latest British protest, so that the relations between the two countries can grow more cordial. Hatred of the Bolshevik system, or indignation with

the many crimes committed by the Reds, ih and out of Russia, since the downfall of the Czar, must not blind Britons to the fact that it would be to the interests of both lands if enmity were minimised. British capital is much needed by Russia, who could be one of the Homeland’s best customers. There is no reason why the two nations should be at each other’s throats, even although modern history is full of their mutual suspicions. The European situation has altered considerably since the Soviet first launched its anti-British campaign, and altered to the disadvantage of Bolshevism. In Russia, itself, Communism has proved a failure, and there is a strong party which urges considerable modification of the original Red policy.

All these circumstances considered, there seems scope for real statesmanship on both sides, not merely to prevent a serious clash, but to lessen the causes for friction. That could be achieved by patient diplomacy. Not so very •many years ago, France and Britain were always at variance, but both derived immense benefits by co-operation replacing senseless rivalry. There is nothing to present the development of a similar undertaking between Russia and Britain, except the former’s determination to wage ruthless war on British ideals. If that is to be the Soviet’s maintained policy, Britain will have no option but to take the necessaf-y steps to overcome such vindictive aggression, but all patriots, both British and Russian, will hope that greater wisdom will prevail, and that Britain’s latest note will open the door to a new era of friendliness between the two nations. ,