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Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16591, 13 November 1919, Page 2

Tho situation in Russia changes with kaleidoscopic rapidity. A short time ago it seemed that the day of the Bolsheviks was over, that Petrograd and Moscow would fall, and that the people of Russia would be released from tho most brutal tyranny ever known in history. To-day Yudcnitch, in tho north, is in retreat and in danger of being surrounded, Koltchak is falling back in Siberia and may meet disaster if ho attempts to bold Omsk, Denikin’s advance is checked, and no surprise would ho caused if wo learned that he, too, was in sore straits. The other day we heard that tho Bolshevik army was a ragged and undisciplined force which melted away before the victorious advance of its enemies; to-day we are told that the Red Army, has been increased by 650,000 men, and that some of the Bolshevik regiments aro tho host ever seen in Russia, and that the soldiers fight like men inspired by religions fervour. The truth probably lies between the two views; at any rate we may assume that for tho time tho Bolsheviks have tho upper hand, and that it is possible they may keep it. But the victories soeras entirely without excuse. If the Bolsheviks make themselves masters of Russia we may have to ro-open relations with them in the future, but tho time for such action is far distant, and for tho present wo should refuse to have any dealings with men who have shrunk from no atrocity in their attempt to force their pernicious doctrines first upon Russia and then on the world.

Mr. Trimble has on several occasions as a member of a. public body expressed vicivs altogether out of tune with public opinion; but on 'Wednesday be went further than usual in that direction at a meeting of the Education Board. The question of the re-ap-pointment of Professor von Zedlitz to a position on the staff of Victoria College was under review, and Mr. Trimble spoke in opposition to a motion endorsing a Wanganui protest against such re-appointment. If he is convinced of Professor von Zedlitz’s fitness in every respect for the position he was, of course, perfectly justified in opposing any protest, but ho went further than this and commented upon the terms of peace arranged between the Entente, Powers and tfto Central Powers. It was, ho said, “the most unjust peace that over ended a war,” and more to file same effect. To most of Mr. Trimble’s friends and to those who hold the memory of his father in deep respect, these expressions will came as a very unpleasant shock, even though they were aware of the occasional eccentricity of his opinions, it • is difficult to tolerate such views in a private individual, hut in a member of a public body they are altogether intolerable, and their expression at a board meeting borders, upon the sut-.

rageous. Mr. Trouble has done much useful work as chairman au‘d member of the Bear'd of Education, but we do not think that one who professes such opinions as he gave expression to on Wednesday should continue to hold a public position of any kind in a British community.