RUSSIA TO-DAY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18152, 15 August 1924, Page 11

RUSSIA TO-DAY.

CHESS MASTER'S OPINION! The usual lunch-hour talk 'was held at- the Y.M.C.A. yesterday, the .president of the Association, Mr A. F. Carey, presiding over a good, attendance.

The lecturer vra3 M. Bori3 Kostich, the great chess plaverj who gave an interesting chat' on '.travel in Central and Southern. Europe and Asia.- M. Kostich gave a descriptive account of Hungary, Serbia, and Austria, and dealt •with the agricultural and industrial activities of these countries. ' Speaking of Russia, he stated that when he visited that country last yeai he noted a considerable improvement in the general conditions existing there. The possibilities of the country were almost incalculable, he 6aid.' and at. the present time,' despite the rigour of the examination by the , Customs officials, foreigners could go "into the country almost with impunity—a -stake which did. not exist two years ago. 'Describing the burial of Lenin, he said that-this was - one of the; most impressive scenes he had ever witnessed. No fewer than 800,000 men followed the body to the graveside—a. remarkable' demonstration testifying to Lenin's immense popularity. Lenin was idolised by the Eussians, and was- considered by them to have possessed one of the greatest brains which humanity had produced. Lenin was a doctor of seven or eight faculties, and was also a student of philosophy. He was the gliding spirit-of the Soviet, and onie-of the reasons • of his popularity was l because he was the only leader who was a Bussian by birth 'and not a Jaw.

A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the speaker- '