PLOT IN THE EAST.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16711, 29 January 1926, Page 6

PLOT IN THE EAST.

THREAT TO INDIA.

, "While Soviet rule is now, broadly speaking, accepted over the old Russian provinces in Central Asia, the Bolsheviks have failed to enlist the enthusiasm of their Mussulman subjects in the spread of Communist doctrines," writes Professor L. F. Rushbrook Williams in a volume issued by the British Stationery Office, "Exhibiting the Moral and Material progress and Condition of India during 1924-25.", ,

The" propagation of Communism has been abandoned in favour of the encouragement of nationalistic aspirations among the various races under Russian inilucnce —a plan which may well indicate fresh designs of advance in the direction of India. Russia has at present scarcely made good the chaos into which the Asiatic possessions fell subsequent to the revolution. But the Soviet Government has steadily continued to re-establish its authority.

Russian influence has been extended into Chinese Turkestan and very markedly into outer Mongolia, over which Chinese hold has relaxed. Thrust in China.

A trade agreement has been signed witli China providing, among other things, for flic immediate resumption of normal diplomatic relations between the two countries. The importance of this new thrust which Russia is making in the general direction of India lies principally in the fact that Soviet policy is professedly directed to carrying out the revolutionary designs of the Third International.

Highly placed Russian officials have openly announced the the main ambition of Russia is to create a revolution in the East, with Hie object of destroying Brilsh power and British prestige ... It seems impos-

sible io believe that normal relations between Russia and Hie British can lie resumed until the underground revolutionary activities of the Third International, which are directed towards the expansion of Russian influence in Asia, are entirely abandoned. There are many indications that the Soviet Government are now concentrating its effort's upon extending ils influence in Afghanistan.

The new nationalistic policy of the Soviet Government to which we have already referred, is likely before long Jo constitute a serious threat to the unity of the Amir's territories; since the newly constituted republics of Uzbeg and Turkestan seem obviously intended eventually to include the Uzbegs, the. Turkomans, and the Tajiks, who are at present subjects of the Amir. .. • .