THE ALLIED POWERS AND RUSSIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17327, 29 May 1918, Page 4

THE ALLIED POWERS AND RUSSIA.

The most recent developments in connection with the suggestion that there should bo Allied intervention in Asia on behalf of Russia are somewhat puzzling. It is reported, apparently on good authority, that the Entente Powers and the United States have decided against intervention. They are prepared, however, to offer supplies and any aid that is possible to Russia. The only aid they will withhold is that which would be most effective. It is expressly declared by them that this decision has. been arrived at as an act of policy and that it is not inspired by any suspicion of Japan. It is unfortunate, in the circumstances, that the announcement of their conclusion on the subject should have been delayed until after it had been reported that Japan and China had come to an agreement in terms of which they were to cooperate in intervention in Siberia. It seems obvious that Japan, at any rate, does not share the views of the other Allied Powers that intervention would be impolitic. It is true that Admiral Kato,' Minister of the Na,vy in the Japanese Government, expressed the opinion not many days ago that the time had not arrived for intervention by his country in Siberia. Japan no doubt desired that in any action which she might take there she should not merely be accorded the passive support of all the Entente Powers, but also have their actual consent behind her. Hitherto the United States, while not formally objecting te Japanese intervention, has been the only one of the Allied nations to withhold her assent from the project. France was certainly favourable to intervention by Japan, and it was only last week that a French publicist wrote of such a step as being "urgently necessary." Great Britain" for her part, seems to have been distinctly impressed at with the view that intervention was expedient ana desirable. Lord Robert Cecil, a responsible Minister, expressed publicly the opinion a few weeks ago that " we should be very foolish, if not criminal, if we did not take every step possible to prevent this Gorman penetration of the East"; and he declared his belief that we should be well advised to seek assistance from Japan for this purpose. About the same time Mr Balfour, Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed the same subject in more guarded terms, which, however, were interpreted as indicating that the Imperial Government was prepared to support or cooperate with Japan in a definite programme of military intervention. Whatever tne considerations of policy may be that have governed the present determination of the Allied Powers, we are justified in surmising that they are not based on the assumption that Japan would, in intervening in Siberia, be actuated only by the worst motives, and that no attention whatever should be paid to her when she disowns all intentions of aggrandisement, and speaks only of protecting her own and the Allies' interests in a quarter of the world where they have now no other guardian. It is upon such an ungenerous assumption as tins that the suggestion of intervention by Japan on behalf of the Allies was criticised in Great Britain by a group of parliamentarians who have regarded with unreasoning suspicion the whole course of Allied diplomatic action. It is much more probable that the decision in favour of a " hands off " policy is due to the deplorably chaotic state of affairs in Russia and to the fact that the British Government is not satisfied as it hardly could be—that the existing Government in Russia is free from German influence or is friendly towards Great Britain. It may well be argued that one of the conditions of intervention in Siberia must be that it should be undertaken at the request of Russia herself. For, as Mr Balfour observed on March 14, it would be as the ally of Russia against Germany that "Japan would send a military expedition to Siberia. But if Russia, under German influence it may be, refuses help, it is clear that an ally cannot force help upon her. And certainly there has been no application from Russia for the aid of tho most useful kind that would'i>e involved in intervention. It may be suggested that it is this circumstance which explains the policy upon which tie AUioa have decided.

A Press Association message from Wellington st-itcs that tho Defenco Minister was unablo List evening to make lus promised statement regarding tlio Government's decision on tho demands of the Second Division lioaguo. Ho hopes to bo able to give attention to tho matter to-day. It is Enid thnt thoro was keen competition at tho meeting of the RK-anding Committeo of tho Ilnrbour Hoard on Monday afternoon for the position of delegates to tho annual meeting- of the Harbours' Association, to bo held in Wellington next July. Most of tho members were nominated as representatives, and on a ballot being taken tlii) chairman (Mr Wilkinson), and Messrs Mollcr, Loudon, and Tait wero appointed. Some very disconcerting information as regards tho manner in which tho big dock was wearing was placed before tho Standing Committee of tho Harbour Board at its meeting on Monday afternoon. It was linally decided that tho board's consulting engineer (Mr J. 13. Mason) should draw up a report on tho construction of the concreto work for submission to the board at its ordinary meeting on Friday night. It is practically certain that the board will have to expend semo £1200 at onco to put the dock in a sound condition. The Port Chalmers Gasworks, with plant and fittings, have been sold by the liquidator (Mr H. H. Sykes) to tho Port Chalmors Borough Council for £2500, without book debts. The council will take, possession on May 31. The report of the first ennual -meeting of tho Zcchan National Club, Tasmania, shows that the success of tho institution has been largely duo to tho energy and liberal financial assistanco of a former resident of Dunedin, in tho person of Mr A. D. Sligo. The club, the most domocratio in Australia, has supplied a need that has boon felt in Zeehan since the closing of hotels at 6 p.m. came into force, as it provides an institution where, in tho words of the president, the men of tho town, both old and young, may meet and havo an hour of good, clean recreation and profitable social intercourse, free of all class and creed. The Dunedin Butchers' Union dispute was sec down for consideration by the Conciliation Council yesterday, but was adjourned sino die by the commissioner (Mr Hagger), who desired to look into a point as to whether a now award could be discussed by the council before an old award expired. Tho Grocers' Union's dispute is set down for consideration by tho council to-day.

Our London correspondent states that the High Commissioner recently handed to the Robert Browning Settlement in south-east London, a further grant of £100 from funds sent to him through the Mayor of Dunedin for the relief of war distress in England. In acknowledging the gift the Warden (Mr F. Herbert Stead, M.A.), writes: — "In the settlement the name of New Zealand becomes more and more honoured and loved. If you had the assurance that I have received from those to whom the New Zealand Fund has been positive salvation in this time of war and distress, you would realise how gracious the act of your compatriots has been."

Our London correspondent states that at a recent meeting of tho Bournemouth County Borough Council a letter was received from tho officer commanding the New Zealand Engineer Reserve Depot, stating that the New Zealand Government desired that at any place where a New Zealand soldier was buried a small plot of ground should bo set aside in view of its being required in the future, the object being to erect suitable memorials after tke war. The council set apart tho space indicated for the duration of the war, or as much longer as may be determined, without payment of any reservation fee.

A Press Association message states that the Auckland Provincial Conference of the farmers' Union yesterday carried a resotytion approving of the action of the directors in entering into negotiations for the purchase of the extensive business and premises of Laidlaw, Leeds, and Co., and authorised the increase of the capital from £100,030 to £600,000. Negotiations are not yet completed.

A Press Association telegram from Taumarunui states that in order to effect wartime efficiency and economy, an important amalgamation of newspaper interests has been brought about in the South Auckland and King Country districts. Tho Waikato Times Publishing Company (Hamilton), and Mr W. Thomas (proprietor of the Taumarunui Press) have joined interests, and have taken over the King Country Chronicle, Tβ Kuiti. The business of the three papers will be run in the name of the Waikato and King Country Press. At the meeting of the Clutha County Council on Friday the question of the erection of a hospital at Balclutha again camo up for consideration. Cr James Begg quoted the phenomenal increases in the levies made by the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in connection with the upkeep of the Dunedin Hospital. In 1911 and 1912 the figure was £1484 4s 4d for tho Clutha County Council; in 1915-16 it had reached £1964 4s; the next year the amount totalled £2437 9s 8d; last year it was £2509 6s 7d, and this year the contribution demanded was £2995 3s 2d. Cr Oiaiiming (Clutha representative on the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board) defended the management of the board. The Otago Board's case was not an exceptional one, as conditions right throughout tho dominion were much the same. The annual statistics of the Otago Board compared favourably with those of any other board in New Zealand. Cr M'lnerney (Lawrence) said he did not oppose the Dunedin Hospital, but he thought every county had a, right to manage ,ts own affairs. His council would bo pleased to act with tho Clutha Council. Cr Overton thought the whole question was one of centralisation, and at present they were paying for tho benefit of Dunedin. Cr Christie thought the Dunedin Hospital seemed to have been erected for the' benefit of the medical fraternity and tho Medical School, and 1 the whole country could not be sacrificed on their account. Mr Malcolm, M.P., who was present by invitation, said that the position would resolve itself into one in which the country would be opposed to tho town. The town claimed as ite case a better medical staff «is consequent on centralisation, and also a better medical school. The country, however, could not be mulcted to benefit the town. Hβ would bo pleased to do everything possible to forward tho proposal, and it would have his earnest support. He suggested that a deputation consisting of a member of tho County Council, a representative of nho Bruce County Council, a representative of tho Tuapeka County Council, together with himself, should go to Wellington at an early date and interview the Minister for Public Health. Cr Begg moved—" That a meeting be convened of local bodies interested in this movement to be held at an early date at Balclutha to support Mr Malcolm in his application to tho Minister in charge." Cr Overton seconded tho motion which was carried unanimously. A Press cable messago published last week, stated that difficulty etill exists in regard to tho control of tho New Zealand Red Cross. The Red Cross Committee is agreeable to tho Hon. 11. Heaton Rhodes, Kcd Cross Commissioner, becoming its first chairman, but has passed a resolution demanding the right to elect his successor Sir James Allen (Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Defence), interviewed with regard to tho above, stated that there was no trouble whatever with regard to the New Zealand Red Cross Society at Homo " Tho position is," he said, li that they are making some changes at Home. Tho War Contingent Association have beon doing a certain amount of Red Cross work mid it is deemed adrisablo that the Red Cross Society, both in New Zealand and ling-land, should carry out its own functions, and that the War Contingent Association should devote ite energies t!o tho care of sick men. This has been arranged; they have reorganised tho Now Zealand Red Cross in England, and taken into their executive several of tho War Contingent Executive, and this new body will carry out Red Cross work. 1 agroo thero has been some difference of opinion about tho election of the chairman of tho ama.!gamatcd executive, but that no doubt will bo settled satisfactorily." At the Port Chalmers Court yesterday, before Messrs N. Dodd and A. Cable, J.P.'s, a first offender for drunkenness was convicted and ordered to pay 10s 6d medical expenses.

The. annual meeting of St. Mary's Orphanage, udvortised yesterday to take place on June 5, will be hold at 3 p.m. to-day. A mooting of householders in the Musselburgh School district will bo held to-night to consider the question of band uniforms. Tho forty-first annual meeting of the Otago branch of tho Now Zealand Educational Institute will be opened to-morrow morning, when the president (Mr .T. Nelson) will deliver an address. Mr E. U. Just, the recently-appointed orgau'riing secretary of the Now Zeal.wl Educational Institute, will not bo present, as was proposed. I'keoptiii" for a paper by Miss Sullivan, thoro will be «n absence of toners this year, tho Managing Committee being desirous of devoting tho major portion of the time to the discussion of organisation and of tho educational problems of tho future. To augment its funds, the Taieri Pipe Band will bold a series of dances this winter. The first will be hold at Mosgicl on Thursday. : Houses are boeominjr scarce in Dunedin. but Tamhlyn, M'Kcnzie, and Winton, 42 Princes street, can show you what you want. Call and see them.—Advt Men's Ceylon shirts, 10s 6d quality for 5s lid (sizo 16i only), on sale to-day at Mollisons May Bargain Fair.—Advt. Watson's No. 10 is a littln dcirer than most whiskies, but is worth tho naonev Advt. Ladies, lighten the labour in your homes by using a "Hotpoint" Electric Radiant Grill for all light cooking. Users state "As indispensable as an electric iron, and so inexpensive." Call and inspect.—Turnbull and Jones (Ltd.), electrical engineers.— Advt. For children's hacking cough at night Wood s Great Peppermint Cure. Is 6d 2s 6d.—Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentiet. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray street* (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859 — Advt. The supply of Golden Rule soap and candles is not equal to tho demand at present The demand for "No Rubbing" laundry help is also running strong. Advt

Eyestrain !—Consult Mr Peter G Dwk D.8.0.A.. F. 1.0. (London), consulting and oculists optician.—Peter Dick, jeweller, etc 490 Moray place, Dunedin.— Advt.