RUSSIAN COMMUNISTS

Otago Witness, Issue 3854, 24 January 1928, Page 27

RUSSIAN COMMUNISTS

AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME. A WORLD-WIDE PARTY. MOSCOW, January 16. Pravda publishes two documents which were seized by the authorities, addressed to Trotskyites abroad, instructing them in the policy to be pursued. The documents show that the Trotskyites do not intend to create an independent party, but to attempt to overthrow the present leadership. They point out the necessity of energetic preparation for the next congresses of Labour unionists and the International Communist International on March 15.

Adherents are instructed to exert every endeavour to see that the oppositionist representatives are present to defend their programme, and to fight against the disciplinary measures adopted by the Stalinites. They declare that the difficulties of the Soviet are due to insufficient activity among the European proletariat, and the lack of fighting ability in the European Communist parties. They outline proposals based on the idea of a world Communist party, adding that the present programme is suited for home purposes only.

r ‘LIGLIT OF RED OFFICERS. PARIS, January 16.

Le Matin’s Moscow correspondent reports that 4000 Red officers were recently dismissed by Vorochiloff, the war commissary, asd are now in desperate plight, tramping from town to town in a vain search for work. The Government proposes to utilise them in repairing earthquake damage in Crimea. RINGLEADERS’ ADMISSIONS. CONSTANTINOPLE, January 17. The four ringleaders of the Communists who were arrested on November 27 admitted that they had been trying, in conjunction with Moscow, to foster Communism in Turkey. They stayed at Vienna en route from Russia to Turkey. Dr Chefik Husni is stated to be the soul of the organisation.

THE OPPOSITION LEADERS. MOSCOW, January 18 For the purposes of punishment rhe Soviet has divided the opposition leader into three groups—incorrigibles, pea'tents and non-penitents. Trotsky and Rakovsky head the non • penitents, who are being drastically punished. Rakovsky and Radek ha’-e been ordered to Ustsesulsk, bordering on Archangel, while Trotsky’s destination has been changed from Astrachan oecause the doctors declared that he is tuberculous.

Kameneff and Zinovieff head the penitents, who confessed their errors. Kama, neff has been ordered to Penza and Zinovieff to Vologda. They have been assigned to educational posts. Sapronoff beads the incorrigibles, who opposed even Lenin when he was alive. They have been banished to the -emotest part of Siberia under arrest. The temainder have been ordered to leave Mos cow and report on arrival at their desiina tions. AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT. LONDON, January 18. The first official statement regarding the banishments was issued in Moscow yesterday in the form of a statement oy the Tass Agency, alleging that after the disinteration of the Opposition Bloc, the Trotskyites developed illegal anti-Soviet activities, attempting to create a secret organisation to prepare for a series of actions and establish connections abroad, for which reason it was found necessary in the interests of the Proletarian State to deport Trotsky and others named.

TROTSKY INTERVIEWED. BERLIN, January 18 Trotsky has gone to Vjerny. The Berliner Tageblatt’s Moscow correspondent interviewed Trotsky, who said he was indifferent to his personal fate, and would not discuss it. The correspondent remarked : “ Mr Lloyd George once prophesied that you would have a Napoleonic career.” Trotsky replied: "It is a curious idea. It is not the first time that Mr Lloyd George has erred.” Trotsky emphasised that the world often wrongly interpreted or misinterpreted ideas. “ World revolution,’’ he said, “ is now progressing for the first time since it started on the downward path in 1923. An improvement in the European economic situation is approaching. Stagnation presents obstacles everywhere, and lack of elbow room, by which the lower classes are especially hit’’ Trotsky, expects the impending European elections to result in a general movement toward social democracy, from which Communism will be th e final gainer. " A Labour victory in England would not necessarily mean improved Anglo-Soviet relations,” he declared, ’* because the Labourites have Liberal tendencies.”