THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. MONDAY, JUNE 25, 1917. THE INDECISION OF RUSSIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17039, 25 June 1917, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. MONDAY, JUNE 25, 1917. THE INDECISION OF RUSSIA.

A good deal of optimism is required to admit of any real satisfaction being derived from the news concerning the attitude of Russia towards the war. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick. The allied peoples are only realising now the measure of the hopes which they had based on the expectation of an active prosecution of the war by Russia till the goal of victory should be attained. It was their reasonable belief that in the third year of the war, during the present European summer, Russia, with her great resources more adequately organised than at any previous period, would co-operate with them with a vigour and energy surpassing all her previous efforts. Not without justification was their confidence that with strong simultaneous offensives on the Anglo-French, Italian, and Russian fronts they would make such progress .against the Central Powers that the end of the war would this year he definitely attained. These anticipations have unfortunately been utterly falsified through the course which events have taken in Russia. So far from initiating any offensive the Russian armies have not even kept the enemy engaged on the Eastern Front, but by acquiescing in what has virtually amounted to an armistice with the enemy have enabled the Austro-Germans to transfer with impunity large bodies of troops to the Western and Italian theatres, where these reinforcements are proving of great service to them in their effort to stem the tide of British, French, and Italian attack. This sequel to the revolution in Russia is highly disappointing, the more so because it seemed reasonable at first to believe that the upheaval which dethroned the Czar and ousted the pro-German Government would lead to more vigorous action on the Russian front, instead of to a revelation of disorganisation and chaos on every hand. The only present consolation is that had the revolution not occurred the position in Russia would probably have been worse than it is, as it seems unquestionable that the late Government was prepared to conclude a separate peace with the Central Powers. Of such a peace Germany is fortunately now said to have abandoned hope.

The latest news from Petrograd canno* be, said to be.so satisfactory as could be desired. If one day brings reports •promising an improvement in the situation the next, generally brings intelligence conveying the reverse impression. A welcome statement in the cablegrams of last week was to the effect that an All-Russia Workmen and Soldiers' Congress had voted unanimously in favour of an immediate Russian offensive. This may 'be said to be in harmony with the Duma's message to the British Parliament: "We believe, despite the difficulties in the path of progress to victory, that' the new Russia, beside her noble allies will finally triumph; over the last bul.wark of autocracy in Europe in the fight for the cause of peace and civilisation." It may also furnish some justification for the words of General Brusiloff, who now holds supreme command in Russia, as addressed to Sir William Robertson: " My endeavours will be directed to the accomplishment of the task of co-opera-tion, with the British. Russia's armies will not fail in their duty." Such assurances are welcome and promising, but we have unfortunately to read them in conjunction with descriptions of the present state of affairs in Russia by competent observers which offer only too little ground for optimism. We are told, for instance, that the revolution has brought the Russian people new liberties at the cost of a general subversion of authority which is being attended with disastrous results. A most significant statement which has. been made in this relation is that although the people have no desire for a separate peace the war is everywhere unpopular in Russia. Moreover, such a report as this is only one of a series, all of more or less the same tenor, and if these give a correct representation of the situation,—and it is impossible to disregard such a weight of evidence from varied and competent sources,—it must seem useless to hope for much from Russia as a military factor in the war during the present year. The best we can hope is that premature expression has been given to the belief that the heart of Russia is no longer in the war. If .Russia is still capable of enthusiasm for the great cause of the Allies the mighty blows against the Anstro-Germans of which she is in some quarters deemed yet to be capable may in time materialise. But all the leeway Russia has already made in a military sense cannot be recovered -in a day. Since the conviction is forced upon ns that Russia's military opportunity for this year is as good as lost, we have regretfully to look forward to the war continuing for at least another year, unless the unexpected happens. Fortunately, however, we can look forward with every confidence to the ultimate issuo. Despite the advantage she has derived from Russia's inactivity Germany, desperately anxious as she is to snatch a decisive victoiy in the West is more than held by the Anglo-French armies, whose endurance will assuredly outlast her own and will enable them securely to maintain the initiative. Moreover, the Allies will before many months receive valuable reinforcements of Amerban troops, and with things

going well for tho. Allied causo on tho Italian frout the general prospects are certainly favourable. To Germany it must be painful to realise that the Allies are capable of striking so hard without the assistance of Russia.