Anarchists

Press, 5 December 1986, Page 20

Anarchists

Sir—,J. R. Davies (December 2) is correct to say that Frunze sent an ultimatum to Makhno after the defeat of Wrangel. That ultimatum (dated November 23, 1920) was but a further example of the treachery shown by the Bolsheviks towards the Makhnovists. However, the orders that I was referring to (November 27) were three telegrams sent by Lenin in early November, 1920 to the president of the Council of People’s Commissars of the Ukraine and other authorities. These were sent prior to the defeat of Wrangel about November 14, 1920. The point is that Lenin, and other "Soviet” authorities, were not at all patient with Makhno — E. H. Carr notwithstanding (historians can be wrong). It may be tempting to suggest that popular support for the Bolsheviks grew during 1921, but it must be noted that this “growth” occurred alongside extreme repression and incarceration of the Ukrainian populace. — Yours, etc., B. S. MEDER. December 2, 1986.

Sir—Nigel Cairns (December 2) shows up an important difference between anarchist perceptions and the discoveries of scientific socialism. “Only large States and monopolies ... have the ability to produce horror weapons, genocide and massive

pollution” he contends. The anarchist solution: down with monopolies and large States. But Marxism shows that monopolies and the State are instruments controlled by capitalists. Attacking these instruments, but leaving capitalism intact, is like treating measles by painting over the spots. In this way, anarchism deflects revolutionary energy away from capitalism — the root cause of working people’s problems. This can only serve capitalism. In taking steps to prevent the spread of anarchism, communists will not require the police. Experience will expose anarchism’s shortcomings, as happened in Russia in the 1870 s. Communists need only point to these shortcomings and compare them with scientific socialism (i.e. Marxism). Anarchism, like the State, will die a natural death. — Yours, etc., J. R. DAVIES. December 2, 1986.