THE H.B. TRIBUNE. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1920. GERMANY AND RUSSIA.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 19, 6 January 1920, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUNE. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1920. GERMANY AND RUSSIA.

The reference in one of yesterday’s cables to the large number of men still under arms in Germany is mainly a reassertion of a statement made in the London “Times” nearly two months ago, and then cabled to us as having created some stir in the House of Commons. English newspaper files to hand show that even then the situation was regarded by well-informed members much more seriously than the cable messages indicated. Those in possession of first-hand evidence declared their belief that the numbers—not largely differing from those quoted yesterday—were by no means overstated. One private member, who had only just returned from the eastern marches of Germany, was astonished to find substantial concentrations, in one instance up to as many as 25,000 men, at various places visited, and predicted a dramatic change in that region within a very few months. On top of this, there was the evidence of Sir R'. Park Goff, who had during the war acted as King’s Messenger to Russia, to which, in the course of his duties, he had made frequent visits. Since the Armistice he had also been in Russia —the Baltic Provinces —more than once. He, too, warned the House of the almost unconcealed military activity that was going on in East Prussia, where, he said, the German population was quite oblivious of the fact that Germany had suffered any real defeat in the field, and was still quite confident in Germany’s Military supremacy. “In fact,” he declared, “the East Prussians still think they have won because they have driven out the Russians.” He spoke specially , of the army which was, at the time of his last visit, operating under von der Goltz in the Russian. Baltic Provinces, and for whose existence and continuance the Germany Government would ■ then admit no-responsibility. As the result of enquiry among the people themselves. he ascertained that they at least regarded von der Goltz and his forces as being under German control, and not only this, but that the commander was in constant and direct communication with the exKaiser. He was quite convinced that, had it not been for the appearance of the British Military Mission sent to investigate the situation, al! the Russian Baltic Provinces woulc very shortly have been in a virtua, military occupation by acknowledged or unacknowledged German troops. Von der Goltz himself was recalled by the German Government, 'but the forces he commanded were never fully disbandd, and we have since heard of them as fighting in the same region, ostensibly to stem the .Bolshevik westward advance, but really with the purpose of main taining for Germany a military footing on Russian soil.

At that time the economic aspect of the case was what seemed chieflj to exercise those who were discus sing the subject. If, they argued, the Germans secure a military domination in Russia, they will then also secure virtual control of all its vast natural resources ,to the exclusion of those who have fought beside and for Russia, and have lost many lives and sunk much treasure in so doing. The situation has, however, now taken on a verj- much more sinistei aspect. The recent victories of the Bolshevik forces would seem to have entirely demoralised, if not to have overwhelmed, those opposed to them on both their eastern and theii southern front. In the result as General Maurice pointed out in one of yesterday’s cables, Bolshevik propaganda will have almost unrestricted access to Persia, and through Persia to Afghanistan and the most disaffected region in oui Indian Empire. Already, it has been ascertained, the Bolsheviks have instituted at Tashkent, in the south of Turkestan, large-scale classes foi instruction in their propaganda, with the object of training emissa ries for Afghanistan and India. These classes are conducted in th< Pushtu, Hindustani, and othei eastern languages, and are publiclj advertised in the Tashkent papers. It is also known that mutual diplomatic missions have recently passec between Moscow and Kabul, and the Director of the Eastern section o! the Bolshevist Eqreign Affairs Commissary has publicly stated that he regards Afghanistan as of prime importance for Asiatic propaganda. All this leaves very little doubt but that the Bolsheviks, having been sc far disappointed in their efforts tc spread their destructive doctrines the methods westward, have been looking to the East for a more favourable field, which is now practically' thrown open to them. Japan has been quick to realise what this means, and has intimated that she intends, with or without the consept of her Allies, to take matters in he; own hands so far as may be necessary to stop the spread of infection' to her own territories through Siberia. What Great Britain’s course will be with regard to Indi;, can only be surmised. But it is very easy to understand that, whatever it may be, the situation both in the Middle and the Far East will be greatly complicated and aggravated if, by any means, the Bolsheviks should gain military strength from the adherence of a substantial German force, whether recognised by the German Government or not. Germany, we may be sure, will be quite ready, whether openly or clan destinely. to make cause with or against the Bolsheviks according as her prospective interests dictate. At the present inoment, with Bolshevism decidedly in the ascendant in Russia, there need be little doubt where her choice would lie, were she to find it necessary to make either an overt or a secret declaration.