CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 210, 1 June 1926, Page 7

CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA

REPORT OF BRITISH M.P.'S FALL OF SOVIET IMPROBABLE DICTATORSHIP OVER PROLETARIAT ♦ t PROCESS OF EVOLUTION IN RIGHT DIRECTION The British members of Parliament who recently visited Russia, in their report express the opinion that the fall of the Soviet is highly improbable. The Soviet’s ideas of justice are declared to be farcical, and the Government is an autocracy. The members believe that evolution affords the best hope of lightening the people’s lot, and are convinced that closer sympathy and understanding be. • tween Europe and Russia 4 will do much to assist this.

By Telegraph.—Press AssoclaticK. COPYRIGHT. (Rec. May 31, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 29.

“There is no doubt whatsoever that the present Government has come to stay,” say* the joint report of the members of the House of Commons, Sir Frank Nelson. Mr. Robert Boothby, Colonel Moore, and Captain Bourne, who toured Russia unofficially for the purpose of supplying the Conservatives with first-hand information. The signatories suggest that Britain’s objectives towards Russia should, in the first place, check and ultimately stop anti-British propaganda; secondly, obtain Russian recognition of the pre-war private debts; thirdly, get as much monev as possible for the British nationals, to whom the debts are due; fourthly, increase trade between Britain and Russia for the sake of our unemployed. “We are unable to see insuperable difficulties if the Soviet gives undertakings with regard to the first, second, and third clauses. “In view of the increasing activities of the Germans and'Americans, we suggest that Britain watch ■ the situation most carefully in order that a probable early opportunity be not missed of diplomatic' and commercial settlement.” IDEAS OF JUSTICE FARCICAL. The report is full of interesting disclosures. It declares: “We believe the fal' of the Soviet is highly improbable. Nevertheless, the Soviet’s ideas of justice are farcical and wholly based on political consideration, while there is no justification for.the wholesale arrests and deportations without trial, and even shootings.' The economic system now adopted is.a peasantry based on individual exchange of products, and industrialism based on Socialism. All this is theoretically democratic, but in fact the Government is an autocracy, if not tyranny. But transitions are proceeding surely and slowly. Though there is tolerance of all forms of religion there goes on hand in hand with this the most insidious antiChristian propaganda and methods of ridiculing Christ and ' blaspheming His teachings, which filled us with abhorrence* COUNTRY OF AMAZING CONTRADICTIONS. “It is a country of amazing contradictions.' Private enterprise is discouraged, where not prohibited, yet it is evident even among street walkers. However, everything is in process of evolution in the right rather than the wrong direction. The upper and middle classes’ sufferings were borne out by our observations, while the workers . are benefited by privileges and concessions, such as free theatres, cheaper food, and accommodation, on which they have first call. The position, briefly summarised, is that the’ Russians are largely fatalists, and have passively accepted the new regime. They now are mostly better off than previously. This statement detached from the context must not be supposed to show that we consider Communism as such to be a success. Nothing is further from our minds, because the present system is not Communism as we understand it. DICTATORSHIP OVER PROLETARIAT. “The so-called proletarian dictatorship is nothing more or less than an extremely efficient dictatorship over the prole’tariat. Those who suffered in the past have given up hope or desire for anv radical change. We believe that evolution affords the best hope of lightening their lot, and it is our conviction that closer sympathy, and understanding , between Europe and Russia will do much to. assist tins happv development While the financial position bristles with complexities, we have no hesitation in saying that the situation is in no sense dangerous. The countrv is far removed front imminent bankruptcy, and the currency shows no sign of collapse. The financial policv is sound, almost severe Exports are. forecasted and imports are rationed accordingly. ’The grain exports are bound to increase. The Soviet does not conceal 'die fact that it wants trade with Britain, for which a loan or long term credits are necessary. One member of the Soviet retr.-irked: ‘London has monev. but disbelieves in our credit. Berlin believes in our credit, but has no monev, unless it gets it via England, which to a certain extent it is already doing.’ ” OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRADE. Members of the deputation point out that Britain in the meantime may be losing an immense advantage, and mav 'later find, with Russia’s financial emergence, that the opportunity of making fair terms for old lojns and private debts has passed by. We do not whollv rule out the possibility of a lien on revenue as security, though ■it is unlikely, but we know the form of security called ‘concessions’ would be considered. We express the opinion that on the whole Russia is capable of. presenting a great .field for. the iudicious investment of British capital. We view with increasing anxiety the Russo-German agreement. It is not desirable that Germany should be the sole link between Russia and the rest of the world. The Soviet told us they were prepared to resume negotiations with Britain. Tf so, we hope the negotiations will be brought to a successful conclusion.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.