BRITAIN'S BELEAGURED ARMY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14880, 7 April 1919, Page 2

BRITAIN'S BELEAGURED ARMY.

I Sir Ernest Shackletoii's report on the situation m Northern Russia must add to the anxiety concerning the safety of the British forces m that region. Shackleton is not a man who would needlessly exaggerate the danger, and when he calls ior immediate relief to be sent to our gallant little, army, . facing an overwhelming host of well -trained and well-equipped Bolshevists, we may know that the situation is truly precarious and help really needed. It is reassuring to learn that the War Office is losing no time m sending forward a relief expedition to be supported by a main body, but until the frozen harbors can be penetrated it may. be difficult to get these forces forward to . positions where they \ will be of help to the beleagured garrisons, the case of whom has been likened somewhat to that of the defenders of Kut. It is sincerely to be hoped, however, that the relief measures will be effective, and seeing that British prestige is at stake we may be sure that every effort will be employed to make, them so. Those brave Britishers with their backs to the wall deserve all dur sympathy and consideration. They were part of our forces engaged m fighting the Germans and were ;sent on a mission which, was considered just ; as hnpoi*tant towards winning the war as any m which they could be. employed 1 — to help those of the Russians who were loyal to the Allies and to prevent' Russia being overrun by the Germans. Their duty also was to save the millions of pounds' worth of military stores, sent to Murmansk for the use of Russia, which was m danger of falling into Bolshevist and Teuton hands. Tbe expedition has served a useful purpose m this direction, aud if there is any saving grace m Russia it forms a rallying point for those of the Russian people who will exert themselves to throw off the shackles of Bolshevism. That it has not done more to free Russia from the terrorists is not the fault of. the beleaguered army. Had our. statesmen possessed a broader „view of the international situation they would have seen the necessity for striking hard for the freedom of Russia and would bate sent strong reinforcements to the _orth, as well as 'along the Baltics coast. ,If Britain had been playing a lone hand m this matter that is probably what she would have done, but her- hands were tied by the Paris Congress, and President Wilson's intense pacifism prevailed over the Congress and prevened war being waged vigorously against the . Reds. The Congress lost many precious njonths attempting to w temporise with the LeninTrotsky gang. It was a fatal mistake and must have greatly discouraged the loyal elements m Roissra. who were looking to the Allies for help. The only thing that will appeal to those murder-, ous fanatics is blood and iron, and we have always, held that there will be no peace m Europe, or Asia-, until the Allies have firmly grappled' with the Russian situation, and sent forces to that covintry to root out the deadly evil which has _ brought death, ; devastation ' and fanaine m is train., The partial withdrawal of forces m Siberia has been-

most calamitous. The Siberian loyalists i aided by strong forces of Japanese, j Americans, British, and French were faking good /progress and defeating the .Bolshevists everywhere, when suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, it was reported that the Japanese, were withdrawing from the field, and subsequently it was announced that other Allied troops were being reduced. This was supposed* to be m conformity with the policy of the Peace Conference, which aimed at ' .getting ' the various sections of the "Russian, people to lay down their arms arid talk over their differences, but it would seem from a - cable received a few: days ago that there was something else behind the sudden' halt m the, offensive. The Japanese complain that when they were m a tight corner Allied assistance was not' forthopming, and the allegation is made that American soldiers "were too proud to fight" with the dark-skinned men of Nippon, if that is so it will be to the everlasting disgrace of America. Altogether \ as we have said, the^ Allied . diplomats have dillydallied with the Russian' situation, and there is danger, unless prompt measures are taken tp extricate our forces m the north, of a terrible climax.