THE RUSSIAN MENACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 196, 20 August 1930, Page 6

THE RUSSIAN MENACE.

(By LADY DRUMMOXD HAY.)

The advent of M. Sokolnikoff, Soviet Ambassador to London, quickens public curiosity regarding the "mystery of Russia." That country has been a Land of the Great Unknown for centuries, but never more so than now. If Czarist Russia in its days of glittering, almost Oriental splendour, reflected little of Europe, Soviet Russia, of merciless experiment, reilccts less still, l'rom one extreme to another —the Soviet leaders are seeking to Americanise Russia mechanically and industrially. Europe is not progressive enough for those who formulated the "five-year-scheme" by which it is hoped to achieve an independent Russia by the end of that period. Factories are going up with amazing rapidity, equipped with ultra-modern machinery, and in many cases surrounded by model dwellings for workmen. Road repair and construction will gradually open up at least part of the vast country. The Soviet authorities, not unaware of the evils of overcrowding in the cities, promise alleviation under the general scheme.

The greatest obstacle to Soviet internal progress, I am told, is the irradieable racial tendency to Asiatic inertia and apathy in a large portion of the population. On those grounds the Government claims necessity for criticised force and harshness. The casual visitor in almost every instance, is shocked by social and economic conditions in the country. He returns to articulate his unfavourable impressions. Moscow, as inflexible and silent as the vast, desolate steppes, scorns to reply, shuts the door anew upon Mystery Land, to work with frenzied effort on the most stupendous economic, social and political experiment to which modern man has put his hand.

It is hardly for the outsider to judge the internal politics of another country, although free to criticise obvious detrimental or dangerous international effect and influence. I am persuaded that when Russia throws open her doors she will astound and terrify the world. Russia is not losing her soul. Tf she were the world would have little to fear, for the robot lasts no longer than its mechanism. Side by side with sinister tales of individual sufferings, tremendous industrial drive, pitiless pursuance of an almost superhuman plan, is the fact that Red Russia is not killing off, or even discouraging, the torch bearers of her art, science and intellectual life. True, they must take the background for the present.

"Culture can wait until we stabilise munist civilisation," a high Soviet official told a friend of mine in Moscow recently. But in the meantime, genius, so long as it is not actively obstructive to the Government, is allowed to pursue art. research and literature with a degree of toleration, in sonic cases actual privilege. When Russia emerges before the world it will be as a vital- force, not altogether shorn of inspiration, and threefold dangerous because the soul she is keeping has been strengthened by trial of fire. Europe's danger lies in the fact she is anaemic, bled white by war, unemployment, industrial revolution and party politics. The spirit of inspiration is departing from us. Where are our great men of the future? Spiritually Europe is a void. The flame that lighted the civilisations of the Mediterranean, and later of England and the glory of Empire, i* flickering low. A worn-out, soulless Europe would be no match for the virility of a purposeful, aggressive New Russia. While puny Powers intrigue to outwit each on minor issues, and greater Powers play chequers with the navies, holding on leash the hideous dogs of war, the majority lose sight of the common enemy —Communism and destructive industrial revolution, the closest and most poignant dangers to Europe to-da.y. The fire that may, or may not, have "purified" Russia would consume Europe in the state she is in at present. Steel armaments in their -place, but what Europe must turn towards the threatening destroyer, be it menace from north, south, east or west, is the intangible cuirass of virility, inspiration and spirituality and unity.