RUSSIA’S SECRET POLICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1934, Page 4

RUSSIA’S SECRET POLICE.

If the cabled report that Russia has decided to abolish her secret police forces is correct a big step towards more normal administration and the personal liberty of the individual will have been taken. Under the jmle of the Czars the power of the secret police was very extensive. No man knew whether his neighbour or companion was a spy or a friend, and there were innumerable instances of men and women snatched from their homes and banished, or even executed, without any form of trial. When the revolution overthrew the monarchical system it was thought that the days of spying were over, and that in the freedom that had been won by fighting liberty of thought and of speech would be allowed to all so long as they obeyed the laws. The Russian proletariat was soon disillusioned. Partly because of differences between the Communist leaders, partly through fear that the monarchists might succeed with foreign aid in restoring the rule of the Czar, and partly to obtain any. hoarded wealth secreted by the hated “Capitalistic” class, the Soviet revived and extended the secret police organisation until its work was wider and more terrible than even in the days of monarchical rule. The ramifications of the “0.G.P.U.,” as the spy organisation was known, extended from the executive of the Soviet Government at Moscow to the smallest village. The powers were used as ruthlessly as in the old days, and the results "to those unfortunates denounced by the secret police were equally drastic. The abolition of the O.G.P.U. is Stated to be possible because the Soviet system is now so thoroughly accepted in Russia that there is no fear of it being undermined either by individuals or by a political faction, and its purpose having been served it would be a redundant form of State activity to maintain. any longer. Whatever the reason the abolition of such an organisation in the government of a country that claims to be the high temple of democracy is to be welcomed. The nearer Russia approaches to normal systems of government the easier will it be for British people to maintain relationships in economic as well as diplomatic affairs.