THE RUSSIAN EXTREMISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16567, 16 June 1917, Page 6

THE RUSSIAN EXTREMISTS.

The difficulties of government in Russia' under present circumstances are perhaps better illustrated by to-day's cablegrams than they have been by any news received since the revolution. The Kronstadt mutineers have demanded that the ex-Tsar be handed over to them for sentence; the Council of Soldiers at Petrograd is urging that the sentence should be forced labour in the mines. This is but a striking example of the anarchy which is prevalent in all parts of Russia. However good tho intentions of the Government may be its authority is weak, and it is everywhere challenged by the anarchy which is being carefully fostered and subsidised from Berlin. The Allies, more particularly the French, will find no occasion for surprise in this condition. It is probably inseparable from such a revolution as Russia has passed through. History has taught us to expect it, but neither history nor such current news as it is now possible to get from Russia can enable us to form any reliable estimate of the real strength of the anarchist sections, or to forecast the effect they will have on the future of Russia. Everything depends on the ' ability of the Government' to restore order and create a new democratic authority throughout Russia. It is a good sign that even in the unpopular task of protecting a discredited Tsar from mob violence, the Government has taken a firm stand. The suppression of anarchy is the first task of democratic Russia. If it is successfully accomI piished within a limited time there I would be less reason to fear either for the future of Russia or for the ! part it will play in the war against j the anarchist state of Germany.