RUSSIA'S PATRIOTISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18080, 3 May 1922, Page 6

RUSSIA'S PATRIOTISM.

A significant statement regarding the J effects of the Bolshevik regime in Russia has been made by General Brusiloff, who distinguished himself as one of the leaders of tho Russian Imperial Army during the war, and is now serving the Bolsheviks as one of their chief military advisers on tho Council of Labour and" Defence. In the course of an article in tho Soviet press in praise of the Red Army and its regeneration under Trotzky General Brusiloff admits that the Bolsheviks in tho spring and summer of 1917 succeeded in completely demoralising and disorganising tho Russian Army, and states that in tho ensuing four years tho army has been entirely reorganised, and is onco more a highly efficient military force. The writer continues: "I must admit that in tho task of reconstructing tho army tho Bolsheviks woro assisted to a considerable extent by numerous officers of tho old Imperial forces who collaborated with the Soviet Government and concentrated all their energies on this task. I must also pay duo tribute to the enormous energy and untiring activities of Comrade Trotzky, who has been during these four years at the head of the Commissariat of War. Personally, I believe that under whatever political system Russia is placed she cannot exist without a strong army, and therefore I consider the development and strengthening of the Red Army desirablo for the welfare of Russia. Willingly or unwillingly—l am not sure whichtho Bolsheviks have done much for Russia in saving the army. And to-day, as the result of the propaganda of Internationalism by the Soviet Government, a strong awakening of national feeling is noticeable among the Russians, and we are witnessing among our countrymen a growth of patriotism of which, to otur i shame, we had so little before. ( -