SOVIET METHODS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 78, 1 March 1929, Page 7

SOVIET METHODS.

BANISHMENT OF TROTSKY. OPPOSITION DEALT WITH. (Australian Press Association). BERLIN, Feb. 28. The Volkswille, Trotsky’s German organ, has opened a vigorous campaign against Stalin. The paper draws attention to the accusation embodied in the decree for his banishment, to the effect that Trotsky was implicated in preparations for an armed struggle against the Soviet. The paper declares that the contrary is the case, and that it is Stalin who is trying to provoke an armed rising in order to have an excuse for exterminating it with the sword.

The article in question states: 1 ‘The opposition last year became a political factor in the life of the workers. Stalin’s supporters were being continually repelled, and commenced reprisals. Stalin’s extremity drove him to associate the opposition with outrages and preparations for rebellion, but first it was necessary for Stalin to expel the leader of the opposition, and thus free his hands for hangman’s work on the oppositionists.” The article insists that Stalin’s sanguinary plot/ can only be countered by a campaign of exposure. II is learned that the Moscow branch of the Communist Party has ’warned all workers that a deviation from the official policy will be drastically dealt with. It has reaffirmed its approval of the measures taken to crush Trotsky and his supporting oppositionists and has declared war against the supporters of the new Right opposition, which is headed by Bukharin, Rykofi and Tomsky The Tageblatt goes as far as to say that the situation in Moscow is critical. The above-named leaders have now come into the open and have sent letters to the Political Bureau demanding the resignation of Stalin.