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Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18534, 9 October 1920, Page 8

The reason for the Bolshevik excursion into Bokhara is now beginning to make itself very plain. The direct objective is manifestly a treaty with Afghanistan, which will place that turbulent country definitely within the Russian sphere of influence. Afghanistan and its mountain passes constitute the northern road to India, and the history of the last forty years so far as India’s northern border is concerned has been one of unending intrigues, in which Russia sought, unsuccessfully, to undermine British influence. It is only thirteen years since Russia, at the AngloIlussian Convention of 1907, gave a declaration* that Afghanistan was outside the Russian “ sphere of influence.” Bokhara, on the other hand, has in recent years, up to 1914, at all events been recognised by mutual consent ns within the Russian sphere. Now that Bokhara is once more under the Muscovite yoke, and under the domination of a Government which recognises no treaties made prior to 1917, the old game is being played again, but with considerably more boldness than ever before.

This is not, of course, the first attempt of Soviet Russia to strike at India through Afghanistan. Early last year there was a chapter of stirring events in Kabul. The Amir was, assassinated, his brother sought to suoceed him, hub the third son of the late Amir secured the recognition of the tribes and still rules. In May, 1919, this new Amir, Amanulla Khan, invaded India. His troops were fairly easily defeated, and the affair might have passed for an ordinary border raid were it not that in negotiations between the British and Afghan Governments the representatives of the latter made some highlyridiculous orations, in whioh a distinct Bolshevik flavour was queerly intermingled with purely Asiatic philosophy. It was evident that Lenin hod a finger in the pie on that occasion The new plot evidently involves Turkey, and may be intended to embroil Mohammedanis as a whole. The experi-

once of the ex-Kaiser, however, seems to show that the sons of the Prophet are getting remarkably critical in regard to “holy wars.”

A visitor to tho city has called our attention to the need for some regulation of pedestrian traffic in the busier streets of the central area. He commented on tho scarcity.of “ Keep to tho right” signs so numerous in other places, and said he found the lack of regulation very confusing. C(f course, Christchurch, while it is growing more like London every day, has not yet arrived at the dimensions of the great metropolis, and regulations found imperative in older and greater centres of population aro not yet absolutely necessary here. All the same, we have a recollection that some time ago attempts were made to control pedestrian traffic in tho principal shopping thoroughfares, and doubtless there are bylaws bearing on tho subject. If these have fallen into desuetude, ns our friendly critic’s impressions seem to show, then it might be as well to revive them, so that the population may be drilled betimes in the proper procedure.