AMERICA AND RUSSIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19736, 8 September 1927, Page 11

AMERICA AND RUSSIA.

COMPARISON BY TROTZKY. FELLOW COMMUNISTS ANNOYED/ RIGA, A vie- 27. 1 An American delegation which has been investigating conditions in Russia propounded for M. Trotzky 20 questions, many of them extremely awkward. They included inquiries as to why there was no freedom of the press or of speech; and whether democracy existed in Russia. M. Trotzky, replying evasively, according to his custom, declared that American democracy was a sham, and veiled capitalist dictatorship, while the Soviet dictatorship was unveiled, as it was unnecessary to deceive the workers. American freedom of the press and speech, as in other bourgeois countries, were also shams, because the bourgeois owned the printing presses and paper stocks; it was impossible for the workers to obtain halls for free speech, because they also were owned by the bourgeois. "The Soviet," added Trotzky, "is unable to permit freedom of the press, because when life is threatened a person uses fists, knees, heels and teeth. The Soviet is not going to allow its enemies to take advantage of so-called democratic freedom." Trotzky's replies have incensed the members of the Polit Bureau, who declare that they were badly chosen. The Pravda characterises his replies as a feeble and disgusting performance. "Trotzky has let down the party again," it complains. "Any conscientious Bolshevik could have replied to the queries without being tied in a knot and making such glaring blunders. Trotzky admitted that the Russians might be discontented, which is incorrect,' as only the counterrevolutionary faction is discontented. "Trotzky missed a great opportunity. He should have told the American delegation that . Russians enjoyed the best form of democracy and full freedom of opinion, that'' discontent was impossible. On the other hand, he gave a false impression, thus assisting the Soviet's enemies in spreading malicious slanders."