THE RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Southland Times, Issue 17918, 25 April 1917, Page 4

THE RUSSIAN CRISIS.

The crisis In Russia was apparently even more serious than was suspected. We supposed that the chief difficulties to be apprehended from it were political. That such an upheaval would cause general dislocation and increase the difficulties of the Government in carrying on the war hardly need to be explained. So sudden a change naturally disturbed and distracted public attention. It unsettled the people in their determination to carry on the war, and it afforded opportunities for pro-German elements to work in their own interests and against the interests of Russia, Even though the new Government appeared to be fairly safe and to be itself of one mind in respect to the war, it was clear to those who had any knowledge of political conditions within Russia, and who recalled the events which followed the revolution of 1905, that tfie crisis might easily produce results unfavourable to the patriotic party in Russia and to the cause of the Allies. It was always understood, however, that the army was absolutely united in the determination to prosecute the war until victory had been won, and that the discipline of the army had not been seriously impaired. Even in the army some difficulty would be caused by the displacing of officers identified with the old regime and out of sympathy with the new Government There must have been many thousands of these officers in the army, many of them in high commands. It was necessary for the new Government to relieve them of their positions and appoint successors who were thoroughly trustworthy, but in addition the discipline of the army appears to have suffered for the time being, and for the first time it is now disclosed that there were large numbers of disertions. We are told that a general pardon for deserters has been issued, and that the soldiers are now returning to their regiments from the villages to which they fled. For a week or two the position must have been extremely precarious and the danger point may not yet have been passed. In supreme command of the Russian armies there is now a soldier who has no connection whatever with the bureaucracy. General Alexieff, like Sir William Robertson, Chief of British Imperial Staff, is a ranker. He has won his way upward by sheer merit, and he has the confidence of the people as well ds that of the army. General Alexieff has sent out the cheering message that the Russian army is again in good heart and will soon strike. What is necessary in Russia is that political parties should set aside differences, agree to defer social and political reforms and unite on a platform with one plank: “Win the war." There are good men at the head of affairs in Russia and If they are given a fair opportunity they will pull Russia through this war not only with a victorious army but with very greatly improved institutions.