Lenin, the Russian Fanatic

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18642, 21 May 1932, Page 11 (Supplement)

Lenin, the Russian Fanatic

What Will Be His

(By Lord Riddell, in LENIN stands out as the most striking figure of modern times. Some people curse him and others worship him, but as Mr E. B. Osborn says in his brilliant introduction to Mr Veale's new book, “The Man from the Volga ” “it must be admitted that he has exercised a more powerful influence in the world’s affairs than any other personage of his period.” it is not my intention to discuss the conflicting opinions about the Dictator and his doings. I am concerned only with his amazing career as portiajed bj M Vealc. His impartial survey of Lenin s life is a fascinating story. . ... As might be expend, Lenin s memahtj was unusual. Acconrig to Mr \ealc, his opinions’formed in early life never changed. If his methods altered, his Objoctlvo Was Always the Same. In short, he had a fanatical mind of the type usually found amongst Orientals indeed, Mr Veale suggests that “ Lenin’s face, whits hard mouth and slanting, cunning eyes, might be that of some mediaeval Tartar raider," and that “some sides of his character are best explained by regarding him as a throw-back to some fierce Tartar ancestor.” lie was born In 18/0 at Simbi.sk in the valley of the Volga. His real name was Vladimir Ilyitch Ulianoff. His father was a Government official at Simbirsk, mo - erately well-to-do. His mother was the daughter of a doctor. Neither parent gave evidence of revolutionary tendencies—Quito the -contrary. But in 1887, Lenin s cider brother, a student at Kazan University, was hanged for attempting to assassinate Alexander 111. Lenin went to Kazan in 1888 and at once followed in his brother’s revolutionary footsteps, with the result that he was banished to a small village in Samara. Being of a studious disposition, he devoted himself to reading, in particular to the study of Karl Marx’s dull but apparently inspiring work, "Das Kapital." first published in 1867, in which he preached class warfare between capital and labour and the doctrine that all wealth is produced by and is the property of the proletariat. Thenceforward, “Das Kapital" became Lenin s Bible. He never varied in his allegiance. Thirty years later a startled world awoke to llnd he had

Imposed Marxism on Russia, with its vast population, and was busy conspiring and propagandlng with the object of bringing about a world-wide, revolutiori. Was there ever such a romance? Unlike most revolutionaries, Lenin was constructive as well as destructive. Whether his constructional work .was sound remains to be seen. For present purposes my object is to point out that he closely followed the Marxian formula. So far as I know this was the first attempt to translate a philosopher’s theories Into action, according to a definite scheme. Lenin left Russia in 1894 and spent some time in Switzerland. Later he returned to Petrograd, and took part In revolutionai y proceedings which led to his banishment to Siberia, where he remained for three years, living in a fair measure of comfort. Lenin was fond of shooting, and game being plentiful had ample opportunities for Indulging in his favourite pastime. He was also a brilliant chess-player and exercised his skill by playing simultaneous games against a number of local opponents. He further added to his amenities by marrying a young school-teacher hailing from Petrograd, and rejoicing, in the romantio name of Nadczhda Konstantinova. The

Lady was a Revolutionist. and the marriage was a complete success. She made an ideal wife for Lenin, being placid and unobtrusive and, according to Mr Veale, “just Intelligent enough to perform simple but necessary tasks,” such as "deciphering letters written in secret codes and forging passports.” It was here that Lenin wrote "The Development of Capital in Russia." In 1902 he came to London, where he and his wife lived at No. 30, Holford Square, near Gray’s Inn Road. While in' London he spent much time at the British Museum Library, and wrote his famous book, "Where to Begin," In which he taught that disciplined organisation is the essential foundation of successful revolution. In 1903 a Marxian Congress took place in London, when Lenin succeeded in establishing the Bolshevik (or large) party in competition with the Menshevik faction. In 1905, owing to the disastrous war with Japan, Russia was in a state of turmoil. Like a bird of prey Lenin descended on Petrograd with a forged English passport and

Tried His Hand at Revolution. The movement was a failure, and the elusive Lenin fled to Finland, where, protecting himself with a forged German passport, he

Place in History ?

John o’ London.) lived in a secluded spot amid woods and swamps. He succeeded in escaping to Berlin and thence to Geneva, where he arrived in 1003. Later on he went to live in Paris. I may here interject that he was a firstclass linguist, speaking English, French, and German fluently, in addition to reading Italian and oilier languages. Before he died he began to learn Czech. We must now jump to 1017. when riots broke out in Petrograd. Lenin then wrote perhaps ills most important message the famous 14 Letter from Afar, in which ho claimed that the lime had come for revolution. He was dying to get back to Russia, and eventually succeeded, in March, in persuading Hie Germans to transmit him to Petrograd in a sealed coach, as Mr Osborn says

“Like a Plaguo-strlcken Rat,” in th e hope that lie would corrupt the Russian armies. So that he might make a more or less presentable appearance, his friends insisted on buying him a new pair of boots. They wanted to give him a new overcoal, but he declined, making the characteristic replv that “he was not going to Petrograd to open a tailor's shop." His habits were always simple. At the height of his power he lived in three plainly-furnished rooms and ate the simplest food. He had a wonderful reception at Petrograd, but his popularity did not last long. The revolutionaries were not then prepared to hand over all power lo the workers, soldiers and peasants. Lenin was denounced on all sides as a German agent and compelled to flee to Finland, where for some time he lived in a small hut. He was continually in danger of arrest and was compelled to shave oft his beard, disguise himself with a wig, and provide himself with a forged passport In October he returned secretly lo Petrograd and, in November, by means of well-thought-out revolutionary measures, succeeded in ousting the Mensheviks and establishing a Government of which he was head. His task was stupendous, and before long, to appease the peasants and stimulate industry, he was compelled to Jettison Some of His Marxian Plans. This was only a temporary measure, as the peasants and” others have since discovered. Lenin died in January, 192 a, He had been mortally ill for twelve months, owing to the gradual decay of his nervous system. It is probable that he never completely recovered from the desperate bullet wounds inflicted upon him in August 1918, by a remale reactionary, one Dora Kaplan. This attempted assassination had terrible results. It provided an excuse for the Red Terror that horrified the civilised world.. As Lenin wielded despotic power, he must take his full share of responsibility for these ghastjy outrages. Mr Veale says:—“His manner to the members of his Government was more like that of a headmaster to his pupils than that of a prime minister to his colleagues. At cabinet meetings he would sit with his watch on the desk before him. Each minister was allowed ten minutes to exponud his views. If at the end of this period the flow of eloquence showed no signs of abating, Lenin would point threateningly at his watch." ... • L, When Krassin sent tn his resignation, Lenin sent him the grim reply, “ We dismiss people from their posts, but we do not permit them to resign." It appears that in private life he was kindly and courteous, tout Inhuman —that is, he h ad no friends. He was gentle with children, and fond of animals, especially cats. In one of his latest photographs ho Is shown , „ x Nursing His Favourite Cat. No doubt his affection for these attractive but inscrutable, creatures will give him’ a good mark with cat-lovers. Lenin s participation in the Red Terror is easily explained. He was a fanatic. That accounts for everything. It is too early lo attempt to estimate Lenin’s place in history. He found Russia in a parlous state and left her in a more parlous state. The Bolshevik experiment proved the fallacy of the Marxian doctrine that wealth Is produced solely by the proletariat. It showed that Ynanagers and experts are just as necessary as workers—hence the employment by the Soviet of British, American, and German engineers and experts. It remains lo he seen whether capital and labour can be rigidly controlled according to the Russian plan, and If so whether such control is Worth the Loss of Personal Freedom. Nevertheless, if and when Russia, under her present or some other form of economic government, becomes prosperous, Lenin will no doubt toe regarded as the explosive force that made the new Russia possible. Putting aside his mistaken methods, his crudities and his abominable cruelties, he will stand out as the man who preached the re-maldng of Russia. As he said. An Idea Is more explosive than a rifle.