BOLSHEVIK MENACE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5666, 21 December 1920, Page 5

BOLSHEVIK MENACE.

INVASION OF PERSIA ANTICIPATED.

CONSULS LEAVING TABRIZ

CONSTANTINOPLE, Dec. 19

Foreigners, including Consuls, have left Tabriz in anticipation of a Bolshevik invasion.—A. and N.Z. C.A.

INFRINGES INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY.

BRITISH LABOURITES AND LENIN INCREDIBLY MISINFORMED.

On his return to London from Russia, Mr Tom Shaw, M.P.. generally speaking, endorsed the views expressed by Air Ben Turner, and even more emphatically showed his dislike of Bolshevism on the ground that, it infringes individual liberty. In particular he treated with contemptuous scorn a suggestion made by Lenin that, in order to prove whether or not the British Government is assisting the Poles, the British workers should carry through a revolution.

Mr Shaw staled that Lenin appears to be very badly informed of the state of public opinion in England, and that he was surprised to learn that the people of England are neither on - the point of revolution nor are they anxious for revolution. “For Lenin to suggest/’ he went on. “that to supply proof that England is giving help to the Whites in the Crimea and to Poland we 'ought to have a revolution and seize the documents of the Foreign Office, is preposterous. It seems to me an extraordinary proposal that we should wade through blood and revolution in England ir order fo prove whether Lenin is right or wrong. The Bolshevik secret service should be able to prove whether ammunition is being sent from this country to the Poles. Trotsky promised to bring us proof, hut np to the time ofi our* leaving Russia it was not forthcoming. What is wanted in Russia is that someone should reveal to the Russians exactly the position of affairs in England. Lenin’s knowledge of England is very poor. “I don’t like Bolshevism,” Mr Shaw declared. As to the acnte shortage of food in the towns, Mr Shaw agreed with Mr Ben Turner, and also as to the strenuous efforts which the Bolshevist Government is making to relieve it. He added the opinion that by the continuation of. the blockade the Allies are running the risk of incurring the enmity of a vast nation of 150 or 180 million people, who are now enduring hardships. Mr Shaw’s estimate of Lenin’s character is interesting. “He seems,” he said, “a very determined; man, who knows exactly what he means, and he' is extremely doctrinaire. He regards his opinions as though they were proved facts. He is not'* only blinded by the strength with which he holds his ‘.own, views, .but, he is also incredibly misinformed.” < . „ '