THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1917. THE THREAT AGAINST RUSSIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17105, 10 September 1917, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1917. THE THREAT AGAINST RUSSIA.

It is difficult to refer to the situation, in Russia except in terms that have become mere platitudes. The causes of the crumbling of Russia's defence—to say nothing of her military offensive— have by this time been made plain for all to read. For the time being Russia has lost the capacity of concentration which is essential to the conduct of a successful war, and is engaged in demonstrating to her patient allies and the world at large a rather amazing confusion of purpose. In other circumstances the atudy in national psychology afforded by Russia under the revolution might be interesting. At the present time, however, what we look for is some convincing sign that the and of the debacle has been reached, and that a superior authority has succeeded in producing order out of chaos and in crushing the forces of disorder, anarchy, and disloyalty which have played havoc with the military organisation of the country. In view of the occurrences of the past few days, and especially of the German advance in the Baltic district, the situation, cannot be described as either im-

proved or roßeate. Still, there are indications that are not altogether unpromising. Russia has falsified so many predictions during the war-period that tho prophets probably look at hor somowhat askance. At all events they are circumspect in their utterances just now. From the viewpoint of some observers it is only the expected that has happened in Russia. It may be so, for all such judgments depend on the angle of vision. Perhaps, all things considered, the Allies may find consolation in the fact that Russia is still in the war. Germany certainly did her best to get her out of it and failed. Intrigue, bribery, and hypocrisy proving unsuccessful as a means to this end, Germany is going to the other extreme, and is making strong play with the mailed fist. It may be that this is tho best thing that could happen—for the salvation of Russia.

A collapsing line of defence and an enemy thundering not so very far away from . the gates of the capital furnish a prospect that is calculated to distract a nation from ' internal broils. Above all things, Russia needs distraction from the contemplation of the mysterious workings of her own internal machinery. Germany is providing what we must hope will prove an antidote to her domestic derangements. The news from Petrograd begins to grow a little more encouraging in this relation, and the hope is fostered that the Russian nation will now be forced to realise that it has no time to lose if it would save all that democracy has gained through the revolution. Counter-revolution threatens on this hand and on that, and Germany is no doubt doing her best to foment and aid it. If these considerations, in combination with the German military advance, will not call forth the patriotic spirit of a nation reunited in the face of overwhelming perils, then nothing else will. The Russian Socialist newspapers are alive to the emergency, it is satisfactory to observe, and are urging the whole nation to rally to the country's defence. The Russian workers are being exhorted, through the medium of the journals which reach them, to* safeguard the revolution and to comport themselves as all loyal workers should at such a time of national danger. The Central Committee of the Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates has passed a resolution emphasising the removal of internal danger as a vital necessity and appealing to the soldiers to redouble their efforts to increase the combative activity of the army, which-is dependent on the regeneration of the country's economic life and the reorganisation of national defence. These manifestations may not seem to amount to very much, but, such as they are, they are the best indications of the mood of Russia that are at present offering. It is encouraging, also, to observe that Mr Lloyd George is by no means disposed to tatce a pessimistic view of the Russian situation. In the course of a speech at Birkenhead he expressed himself as confident that the Russian leaders will be successful in repairing the revolutionary machine under fire, and that Russia will make a recovery and play a great part yet before the end of the war. It is a consummation devoutly to bo desired, as much in the interests of Russia as in the interests of the Allied Powers.