PROBLEM OF RUSSIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21118, 27 February 1932, Page 9 (Supplement)

PROBLEM OF RUSSIA.

BOLSHEVISM AND THE FUTURE. An unbiassed account of conditions in Russia, as gleaned from Iwo visits to the Soviet, Union, is given l.»y Captain J. de V. Loder, Conservative member of Parliament, in his book, "Bolshevism in Perspective." Tim author docs not hesitate to bestow credit where lie considers it to bo duo and his criticisms are free from extravaganco. The result is a (bought provoking work which leaves no illusions, however, concerning tlie bleakness of life under tbo Bolsheviks. As an admitted opponent of Communism the author might well be expected to let his final judgment lie against the present Russian system, but his judgment is so based on facts that there is no gainsaying it. The point is made very evident throughout tho book that Communism is .not synonymous with Russia, but that the Communist minority, an extremely small though virile one, has secured such a grip of the means of wielding power that tho great majority are dumb, or almost dumb, puppets of the Red leaders. The Bolsheviks, according to Captain Loder, were the only group with sufficient energy and ruthlessness to carry to a logical conclusion the theories which they held, and their opportunity came, of course, with the overthrow of the monarchy. While other groups of more moderate revolutionary thought were making plans for the future, or disagreeing among themselves, the Bolsheviks acted. This power of action has given them the reins of Government. In discussing the future of Bolshevism, whether it will last, the author has very definite opinions, though he disarms tho reader by denying his own powers as a prophet. Communism, he says, will not triumph. The concessions which it would have to make to human nature and to tho logic of events, if it were to become at all workable, seem to be such as would fundamentally alter its principles. Its materialistic and mechanistic philosophy, with the consequent rejection of spiritual religion and of personal liberty, is too narrow and too intellectual to be the permanent basis of a social system. On the other hand he does not think the present regime will collapse, as this generation has had enough of revolution. It is probable, however, that for lack of nn alternative the Communist Party will remain in power for another decade, although it does not follow that the position is static. The political changes that are likely to occur in the near future must be looked for, he believes, within the Communist Party itself. Stalin's problem is to know just how far he can go toward putting Communism into practice. " The Russian character," says the author. " has not changed in essentials, but only in its mode of expression. Many mistakes are made in appreciating the Russian situation, because people in England insist on applying the same critical standards to Russians as they would to themselves." In arriving at an attitude toward the problem of Russia he believes there is no "{enable position between a policy of downright hostility and a policy of accommodation. Both of these involve a risk of strengthening Bolshevism, but he thinks-that for the present at least the second risk is preferable. " Bolshevism iri Perspective." by J. fie V. Loder." (George Allen and TTnwin, Ltd.).