SOVIET INDICTMENT

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 66, 10 December 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)

SOVIET INDICTMENT

Record Of An Escaped Prisoner “Escape I'Tont Russian Chains,” by Ivan Solonevieh ( laindoti : Wil lituus and Norgate i. For many years the Bolsheviks succeeded in isolating Russia, so far as information touching Hie truth of their governing was concerned. Many foreigners were shown specially-prepared places designed to convey tile impression that Sovietism was succeeding. II was. however, impossible to conceal the truth forever, and during Hie last few years the world lias been learning of Hie cruelties, the poverty and squalor, the iiiurtlering and the torturing of innocent persons, the spying and lite mistrust that pervades the whole Soviet system.

There is now evidence that the great idealistic scheme of tilings that bad to begin with murder of unexampled ferocity ami volume is a fake and a sham, that the people are far worse off than under the Tsars. There is now no leadership, only ruthless tyranny. The author recounts his third, and successful, attempt to escape to Finland from the north-west of Russia, where he was -impounded in a concentration camp, lie was accompanied by his son, Yura. Most of the book, however, is taken up with a detailed description of the concentration camps or prisons. There lhe food is scanty and mostly bread. The officers in charge arc ruthless and dishonest. The author is a physical culture expert, and was used there to organize a great display of physical excellence in the Russian youth. For this purpose the contestants were fed better, and a great fake display was being prepared when the author and his son escaped. One of the terrible scenes described is in another camp, a camp for waifs and strays from the city streets. The youths there are utterly degraded, hopelessly immoral, and all destined to die soon.

Another scene is where a large shipment of women arc taken north to a pieee of new country whither their husbands had been driven earlier for the purpose of cultivating more Russian soil. Tlte peasants do not seem to be provided witli sufficient tools for the purpose, and there is no money to provide scientific manures to ensure success in agriculture.

Tlte story is written in a free and unaffected manner. The telling is sufficiently graphic, without any excess of words to enable tlie reader to visualize tlie scenes and incidents in which the author moved until lie escaped in 1934. In human affairs, whether national or individual, there can be no existence without justice and without religion. At present in Russia justice does not command any attention. At its best it shows some appearance, but only rarely, under tlie role of compassion, which, as an inherent human trait, cannot be entirely stamped out. Even under the role of compassion justice is but a negligible in Russia. Men and women are being levelled down to the grade of beasts, whose main concern is to exist. Religion is, among the youth, not a matter for active contempt or antagonism. It is simply ignored. Its importance or significance is not in their minds at all. Life in Russia today seems to be an existence whore love and understanding are suppressed, and where brutality and terror reign. Tlie whole book is the most terrible condemnation of those who continue a system which defies all the culture of civilized life. On the other hand, one is compelled to realize that any opponent to the present system would take bis life in Ids hands. The author has given to the world an authentic account of the logical development of socialism amongst an ignorant people.

The story bears the indicia of truth. The author clearly shows that Russia is a broken nation, not unlike a great camp of slaves kept in action under the lash. The heart of the people is broken, hope has fled, national pride exists no longer. One is forced to the conclusion that such a people could never be organized or led to sustain a war for any length of time, at least against any of the great modern armies.

Some day one feels, after reading this book, there must be a revolt, which will not be ruthlessly stamped out, for it will represent the emotion of human beings who have at last been driven to tiie conclusion that a revolution, involving as it may, death, is preferable to tlie slow torture and slower death involved in living under tlie sign of Hie hammer and sickle. THE FAMILY PLAYS GOLF “Ji’anuiy Goll',” by Eleanor E. Haise (London: Dent). This is a very interesting story for young people about children who are interested in golf and are trying to learn Hie game intelligently. It is sponsored by Joyce Wethered (Lady Heathcote Amory), so it will be realized that it is more than a pleasing story. Tlie boy John in the tale is most anxious to become a good golfer, and in his efforts to learn he turns to a hanfl'book “The Improving Golfer," for advice. YVliat lie reads appears in I lie story, so t hat by the end of the book every stroke and every club lias been dealt with in simple language which the youngest would-be golfer could understand.

■ Grown-ups in the story give much sound advice ns to the attitude that should be taken to the game, and there is very sound advice on Ihe laying out. of a home-made course. This book will appeal io all the members of any polling family—even fallier and mother will be turning to see what “The Improving Golfer’’ says when their putting goes wrong.