THE POSITION IN RUSSIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12408, 28 August 1918, Page 5

THE POSITION IN RUSSIA.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY GAINING FORCE. AN OPTIMISTIC VIEW, Au«(mli>n *nd N.A. i Cable A«sooi*tion. (Received August 28, 10.15 a.m.) NEW YORK, August 27. Mr Joseph Shaplin, United Press correspondent, who lias returned to New York, in the course of an interview was asked: IVhat will bo tho future of Russia? Mr Shaplin replied: In my opinion Russia will reorganise tho cast front next summer. Meanwhile tho Revolutionary Democratic Party is preparing to make up a power of government, quietly reorganising tho economic resources. Germany will supply tho Bolsheviks’ requirements as long as it is able to use them to keep Russia disorganised and disunited. The restoration of Russia will be in proportion to the speed with which tho Allies send military aid to strengthen tho hands of tho opponents of tho Bolsheviks. Two names mentioned as possible leaders of the now party which will oust tho Bolsheviks are. Victor Tcherinov, loader of tho Socialist Revolutionaries, and Martov, leader of the Mensheviks. Two leaders of the Russian northern republic, Zuboff and Dedushenko, are strong men, but Tchernov is the most likely leader of tho new national party. The Russians will endeavour to re-establish tho line with Poland, with subsidiary fronts on tho Murinau and at Archangel. It is estimated that 600,000 Gormans ato engaged in maintaining order in Russia, and the reorganisation of the Russian front will mean detaching a million more men from Germany’s western front, thus _ ensuring an early victory for the Allies. The reorganisation of a stable Government in Russia is slowly but surely coming. I regard tho future with optimism and complete confidence.