CRISIS WHEN THE ALLIES LEAVE RUSSIA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 15089, 11 December 1919, Page 3

CRISIS WHEN THE ALLIES LEAVE RUSSIA.

• ■ ♦ — — . NEW BALTIC STATES LE^ET TO "kED'V INFLUENCES. HELSINGFORS, kept. 20.— 1t. ds m Btructive $o note on arriving :here that the educated people- of Finland, unlike the educated people of England, have, no illusionp about Bolsheyism-T-doubtless ! because they live next door ,to it and have hadl fome themaeives (writes A. E. Copping). , Their minds are full of anxious un- , certainty, but not because there is any doubt that Bolshevism is a social condition controlled by arms, encouraged by Germane and securing the support of large sections of the working classes by alknvimr them to prey on the middle and upper classes — a social condition* existing on a basis of plunder as distinguished from one of production. I explain that England and her AlKes have grave domestic r>r«oocupations, and faini would leave Russia to solve her own problems ; but here, as- in Stockholm and Chris tiania, this 'statement has been received with consternation and' eager protest. . ' "Bolshevism is not merely Russian," the objection as raised ; "it is international m ambition as m scope. Everywhere you will find the nucleus of social discontent 1 and potential Jawlesaness. The 'Baltic outlook at tho "moment is bl/iclc. Little hope is entertained that Esthonia — war-weary and with her army , affected by" Bolshevism — will ; be ablo to abstain from peace with the Soviet Government aft the end of a' fortnight's deliberation. ! ' "Neighboring " lands can scarcely fail to follow her disastrous /example. Then (I was asked) what Finland, 'which necessarily has much latent 'red' iii its population? Finland stands ready to accept definite counsel' from England. If such counsel be' not forthcominff, who- can, doubt that : Finland* also. wilt. 'enter.- into fiiendly alHance with 1 Bolshevik Russia? Towards what new "troubles, '"then, is tho poor old world drafting ? Yet stay— it cannot be that all European statesmanship has grown infirm of purpose, weak of will!" ' .-'.-.