THE TRAGEDY OF RUSSIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17843, 26 July 1921, Page 4

THE TRAGEDY OF RUSSIA.

Communism has been given practical experiment in Russia for three a.ud a-half years. Visionary theories previously tested on paper or in village communities have been applied on a gigantic scale to one of the greatest and most docile of nations. The result has been apparent to all but ignorant and prejudiced opinion ever since the true character of the Soviet programme became manifest. It is doubtful whether many expected the Bolshevik regime to endure so long as three years, or imagined the full extent of the horrors to which it has subjected the suffering millions of Russia. In attempting to create a fantastic system of government it has destroyed all that was of value in the social and industrial life of Russia, depriving the people of the protection of ordered government, and shattering the mutual confidence that is the foundation of all useful human relations. There is no reason to doubt the moderation of the latest reports upon the conditions now prevailing in Russia. The narratives published yesterday and to-day merely amplify official and semiofficial disclosures during the last few weeks regarding the ravages of famine and disease. The failure of the already attenuated harvests has complsted the ruin which sprung from the Soviet's fallacious decrees and ruthless violence, so that not only are appeals issuing to the world to succour the depleted population of the country, but neighbouring nations are fearful of invasion by panic-stricken hordes of starving Russians. The full tale of Russia's suffering has not yet been told, but in all the darkness of its misery there is some hope that the Soviet Government will itself succumb under the perils of the" situation, leaving the people free at last to restore a sane form of government, based upon the security of person and property, and holding its sway by the strength of popular support instead of by the instruments of a violent and destructive despotism.