The Star. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1921. STARVING MILLIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16542, 28 September 1921, Page 6

The Star. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1921. STARVING MILLIONS.

Iho statement ma de hr W inston Churchill that a 9 tho effect, of Bolshevik rule more pooplo will die in Russia this winter than during the five rears of war may not have lw*en either accurate or unprejudiced, but tbero are not wanting indications that a largo portion or B'oriet Russia is in a bed way. As wo pointed out on a previous occasion the whole of Russia is not affected, but the Government lias shown itself incapable of coping with a situation which demands both action and organisation. The famine position in Russia towards the end of July last, according to English exchanges, appeared to be as follows: —The entire territory cast of tho Voronezh meridian ns far as the Urals was at that time actually starring. This area comprises twenty-one of the former Russian Governments, fourteen of them belonging to Great Russia and seven to the Ukraine, or Little Russia, The population involved totals twenty-five millions. In the surrounding districts the harvest is much below the average, though there is no actual famine. It was anticipated, however, that til© foregoing figures would be greatly increased during tho winter. The bulk of the population in the famine districts were abandoning their homes and migrating in various directions in quest of food, thus adding to the difficulties of tho contiguous areas. According to official figures the Soviet Government bad at its disposal only 7,000,000 poods of food available for supply to the starving inhabitants, while according to conservative estimates a minimum of 300,000,000 poods would be necessary to accomplish tho task. It was stated t-liat the causes of tho situation were twofold: (a) Tlio unprecedented drought, and (b) the policy of the Soviet Government in requisitioning taxes from the peasantry in. kind, which did not encourage them to cultivate the land the previous year to any reasonable extent. Tho danger, therefore, is not confined to the coming winter, but may extend to next year, because it is possible that owing to the wholesale emigration and failure of the crops the entire area affected will be left without sowing. As to the consequences of this calamity, two sets of opinions obtain in Bolshevik circles. Some argue that the famine may redound to the advantage of the Soviet Government, because the population chiefly affected cousist3 of peasantry who have hitherto given the greatest trouble to the Soviet authorities. Another sectiou appear to take a more serious view of tho position, and are of the opinion that the famine may directly threaten the security of tlio Soviet Government, should tho starving multitudes, maddened by hunger, actually reach Moscow. This contention. however, j.s being met with the argument of those who place reliance on tho Red Army. 11 is pointed out that the latter is at present almost three million strong, and subject to tho strictest discipline, which is maintained at all costs. Although its food and clothing are poor, arms and equipment arc said to be adequate. It is a fact that the only factories working in Russia are the munition factories, which, since la;-.t spring, have- been running double shifts to turn out supplies. There is no doubt, however, that the situation is causing the Soviet leaders much perturbation, and that they recognise the grave danger of internal disorder unless the famine is checked. Lenin himself addressed an appeal to the masses in the Paris International organ, in which ho said that the famine threatened to bo as disastrous as that of 1891. kt It is the terrible sequel of our country’s superannuated farming methods and seven years of Imperialistic and civil war imposed upon the workers and peasants,” he said. Russia expects aid from labour, factory workers and farmers. They are themselves oppressed by capitalism and Imperialism, but we are certain that despite their own troubles, the scarcity of work and high cost of living, they will answer our appeal. Those who have all their lives suffered under tho yoke of capitalism will understand the position of tho Russian workers and peasants. They will understand with tho human instinct of the worker and the exploited the- need to save the Soviet Republic which was the first to undertake the fruitful but gigantic task of overthrowing capitalism. Capitalism is preparing new plots against the Revolution. In view of this it will be with keener energy and with greater devotion that the workers and farmers of all countries who live by their own labour will come to our rescue. 7 ' There is a ring of political rhetoric about this appeal, and it is vain for the Soviet leader to blame the foreign capitalist for the troubles of hia country- He and hit friends have made a mess of things, and they will have to shoulder the blame, ‘t’bey have the command of the resources of a great State, and they have displayed their incapacity to handle a situation which might have been composed without extraordinary difficulty by capable and energetic action. The condition of Russia is certainly no advertisement of the virtues of IVishevism.