The Star. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1920. THE BOLSHEVIK TRIUMPH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19842, 10 January 1920, Page 8

The Star. SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 1920. THE BOLSHEVIK TRIUMPH.

It is now established beyond the possibility of doubt that the Bolshevik forces in Russia have secured a sweeping military triumph. Anti-Bolshevik leaders have risen only to fall, and their collapse seemed to come just when, success was within their grasp. At one time Yudenitch was knocking at the gates of Petrograd, and the cables indulged in another of a long series of prophecies that the Russian capital would fall. Yudenitch has been chased out of Russia, his army has ceased to exist, and the Bolshevik flag still flies at Petrograd. Glowing reports were received of the military successes of Denekin and Koltchak, hut they are now staggering under blows which threaten to annihilate them. There are two things which have contributed to the sweeping success of the Bolshevik forces: (1) The absence of a definite Allied policy, vigorously backed by substantia] armed forces; and (2) the wonderful improvement in the calibre of the Red Armies. In regard to the first point, it may be said that public opinion in Allied countries is not solidly in favour of prosecuting the war on Russia. It is easy to understand the opposition of the Bolshevik sympathiser, who sees in what is happening in Russia an attempt at the realisatmn of his own ideals. The attempt may be a blood-stained one, but so long as it is not his own blood that aspect of the affair can be regarded with philosophical calm. But even among people who have nothing but detestation for Bolshevism there is no enthusiasm for the war. There has been a natural reaction in military interest since the Great War, and the man in the street would prefer to see Russia fight out her own salvation. The stories of Bolshevik invasion and penetration leave him cold—the issue is so obscure, and the scene of the conflict is distant. The fact that the success of the Bolsheviks will have a most profound influence on the future of the world is being constantly proclaimed, but the proclamation is received with indifference or incredulity. The improvement in the calibre of the Bolshevik Armies, as we have already stated, has contributed much to their victory. The Sonet leaders were compelled, by tha hard logic of fact, to give up their rfnpractical visions of a proletariat army where the only bond was universal brotherhood and equality. They fell back on a system of iron discipline and severe training, which soon gave them an army of respectable and rapidly improving quality. Mutiny and desertion were frequent at one time, but they were punished with remorseless severity. It is inevitable that success will bring recruits, and it is difficult to see what effective counter can be made to the military debacle which has destroyed the nnti-Bolshevik armies. The hopelessness of the situation from the Allied point of view is shown by the fact that some months ago British papers were seriously considering whether Germany should not be invited . ] °m the Allies against Russia, the price of her help being various econ omic and territorial concessions. The Allies would be m desperate straits indeed before they would consider such a . Proposition. In the meantime the chances are that Russia will be left as far «» invasion of her terncry is concerned, the Allies contenting “V? . repe,l, "e a Kempt “ Eed Am, “ <» g» beyond EraBian boundaries.