THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1919. THE ALLIES AND RUSSIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17533, 27 January 1919, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 1919. THE ALLIES AND RUSSIA.

The Peace Congress has been finding the Russian, situation a most difficult problem. It has now come to the important decision that conversations with the representatives of the various political elements in Russia shall take place at Princes Island in the Sea of Marmora. This decision, as the cable messages make clear, is being subjected to a good deal of criticism in various quarters. It would appear that the plan now adopted is the " via media" suggested by President Wilson in consequence of the occurrence of a deadlock owing to the divergence of the views of Mr Lloyd George and M. Clemenceau. It was desired by Mr Lloyd George that a conference with representatives of the Russian Bolshevists should take place at Paris. The French Government, on the other hand, adhered to the view that it would be a mistake to meet the Bolshevists at all. Strong objections to the step which has been decided upon are urged, it will be observed, by Russian statesmen who are in Paris at the present time and by.a section of the French press. Prince Lloff, who was leader of the original Provisional Government of the revolution in Russia, and M. Sazanoff are outspoken in their condemnation of the determination of the Peace Congress. Prince Lloff has described the invitation extended to the Bolshevists as a fatal step, and various Parisian publications deplore what they regard as the weakness shown by the Congress and axe strongly impressed with the belief that it is impossible to reconcile Bolshevism and anti-Bolshevism. There is, clearly, a sharp conflict of opinion as to the merits of the plan that has been agreed upon.' There is something to be said both for and against the proposals that have been accepted by the Congress. The associated Powers, having discussed the suggestion that

they should intervene in Russia -with a view to the suppression of Bolshevism, have had to reject it. The arguments against a policy of armed intervention are too powerful to be resisted. It is the right of Russia—as of other countries—to work out her own destiny in her own way, and it is not right of foreign nations to step in and interfere, great as the provocation to do so may ho. It is the aim of the Peace Congress to exert upon Russia by every legitimate means the pressure of such influence as it possesses. The policy of intervention being ruled out, there remains the question whether there can be a reconciliation of the conflicting elements in Russia. Prince Lloff and others are emphatic in asserting that patriotic Russians will refuse to meet the Bolshevists in conference. If they are not mistaken, the conference will prove a fiasco. In tins event a prolongation of internecine conflict will have to be looked for and Russia will continue to be the scene of appalling disorder. One hope which apparently has influenced the Congress in its decision is thai the danger of a spread of Bolshevism throughout Europe may thereby be averted. But it is, above all things, anxious to discover whether there is any prospect of stable government, free from terrorism, issuing from the present Bolshevist regime in Russia., and it is suggested that its influence may be exerted towards securing the election of a Russian Constituent Assembly. The success of the proposed conference seems to be highly problematical. The scheme to which the Congress has committed itself presents a chance that an orderly system of government may be introduced in Russia. He would, however, be a bold individual who would be very hopeful about the outcome of the conversations which it is the design of the Congress to bring about.