LIFE UNDER THE SOVIET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19804, 1 June 1926, Page 9

LIFE UNDER THE SOVIET

CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA. VIEW OF BRITISH OBSERVERS. INVESTMENT OF CAPITAL URGED. RESUMPTION OF RELATIONS DESIRABLE. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, May 30 (Received May 31, at 5.5 p.m.) “There is no doubt whatsoever that the present Government has come to stay.” says the joint report of Messrs F., Nelson, R. Boothby, T. E Russell-Moore. and R. C. Bourne, members of the House of Commons, who toured Russia unofficially for the purpose of supplying the Conservatives with first-hand information. The signatories suggest that Britain’s objectives towards Russia should be—1. To check and ultimately to stop the anti-British propaganda. 2. To obtain recognition by Russia of the pre-war private debts. 3. To get as much money as possible for the British nationals to whom the debts are due. 4. To increase trade betwen Britain and Russia, for the sake of Britain’s unemployed. “We are unable to see any insuperable difficulties,’ they state, “if the Soviet gives undertakings with regard to the first, second, and third clauses. In view of the increasing activities of Germans and Americans we suggest that Britain should watch the situation most carefully in order that a probable early opportunity may be not missed of securing a diplomatic and commencal settlement.” INTERESTING SIDELIGHTS. The report is full of interesting disclosures. It states: “We believe that the fall of the Soviet is highly improbable. Nevertheless the ideas of justice are far cical and wholly based on political considerations, while there is no justification for the wholesale arrests and deportations without trial, and even shootings. Tire economic system now adopted is a peasantry based on the individual exchange of products and an industrialism based on Socialism. All this is theoretically democratic, but, in fact, the Government is an autocracy if not tyranny. But transitions are proceeding surely and slowly “Though there is a tolerance of all forms of religion,’’ says the report, “there goes hand-in-hand with it the most insidious anti-Christian propaganda and methods of ridiculing Christ and blaspheming His teachings which filled us with abnorrence. “It is a country of amazing contradic tions. Private enterprise is discouraged where it is not prohibited, yet it is evident even among the street-walkers. However, everything is in process of evolution in the right rather than the wrong direction. That the upper and middle classes are suffering was borne out by our observations, while the workers are benefited by privileges and concessions such as free theatres, cheaper food, and accommodation on which they have first call. FATALISM OF RUSSIANS. “The position briefly summarised that the Russians are largely fatalists and have passively accepted the new regime. They are now mostly better off than they were previously. This statement, detached from the context, must not be supposed to show that we consider Communism as such to be a success. Nothing is further from our minds because the present system is not Communism as we understand it. Th® so-called proletarian dictatorship is nothing more or leSo than an extremely efficient dictatorship over the proletariat. “Those who suffered in the past have given up hope or desire of any radical change. We believe that evolution affords the best hope of lightening their lot, and it is our conviction that a closer sympathy and understanding between Europe and Russia will do much to assist this happy development. FINANCIAL STABILITY. “While the financial position bristles with complexities we have no hesitation in saying that the situation is in no sense dangerous. The country is far removed from imminent bankruptcy and the currency shows no signs of a collapse. The financial policy is sound, almost severe. The export* are forecasted and the imports are rationed accordingly. The grain exports are bound to increase. The Soviet does lot conceal the fact that it wants trade with Britain for which a loan or long-term credits are necessary. One member of the Soviet remarked : “London has the money but disbelieves our credit. Berlin believes our credit but has no money unless it gets i* via England which to certain extent it is already doing.’”. The members of the deputation point out that Britain in the meantime may be losing an immense advantage, and may laterwards find with Russia’s financial emergence that the opportunity of mak ing fair terms for old loans and private debts has passed by. “We do not wholly rule out the possibility of a Hen on the revenue as security though it is unlikely, but we know that the form of security called ‘concessions’ would be considered We express the opinion that on the whole Russia is capable of presenting a great field for the judicious investment of British capital. We view with increasing anxiety the Russo-German agreement It is not desirable that Germany should be the sole link between Russia and the rest of the world. Members of the Soviet told us that they were prepared to resume negotiations with Britain. It so, we hope they will be brought to a successful conclusion.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.