New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-30

The word "Bolsheyiki," in Russian, means
majority" The particular Bolsheviki the
world is now talking about are the majority
of the Russian Social-Democratic party. The
Social. Democratic party has its main strength
smong the industrial classes in the cities.
The ocialRevolutionist party of Russia, the
other great Socialist party, counts the vast
majority OF its members among the peaSsntry.
Distinct from the Bolsheviki at present also
are the Mensheziki or minority OF the Social
Democrats IL must be understood, however,
that the Bolsheviki, though their very name
means majority" are quite likely an actual
minority of the Socialist and Socialstic urban
population, even OF Petrograd. Judging by
such reports as we have, We must conclude
that the Bolsteviki are a strongly organized
faction of the Social-Democratic party, chief
~ in Petrograd and vicinity, with determined
leadership, which has succeeded in Welding
together the working class and various other
elements of the opposition to the Kerensky
government.
E1iles and Scholars
Some names of the Bolsheviki-Nicolai Lee
nine, Leon Trotzky and Alexandra Kollontsy-
these three are we'll known in the Socialist
r,ovement Of Europe. They will live in the
short-lived history of the desperate revolu-
tionary effort of this November in Petrograd.
All three have been hunted exies. Each is a
finished scholar, member of that class OF the
Russian intelligenca which has given so many
heroic figures to the history of the last fifty
years. Nothing could be more erroneous than
to conceive OF the Bolsheyiki as wild and
hairy brigade of outcasts led by ignorant ana
raving fanatics. There is probably not
university in America which can furnish three
member. Of its faculty who know as much
about economic theory, OF the one hand, and
the history of Europe during the nineteenth
century, OIL the other, as these standard bear
ers Of ultri-radicaism which the kaleidoscope
Ct contemporary Russian life has turned 10
the light. They are citizens Of the world, VINO
speak three, four, perhaps five, languages
Nine. Kollontay is the author Of large WORK
upon her specialty-which is maternity con-
sidered as a social problem. To think OF this
brilliant, forceful and also very cookbook
ing woman as the Minister of Public Welfare,
even for nine days, must touch the imagina-
ton of dullard.
The purposes Of the Bolsheviki must be
discussed under three heads-politica, mill
tary and economic.
The political programme OF these radical
Socialists demands "the dictatorship OF the
rroletariat" This MARKHAM expression is Is
old as the modern Socialist movement. 1t i'm
plies that the working class Of nation, or
Of a group of nations, having developed num-
bers and intelligent organization, will, at
final stage Of development, resulting from
social evolution, seize the public powers and
reorganize industrial society as socialized
and democratic system Hence, the Bolshe-
wiki demand that all other economic classes
throughout Russia Immediately surrender po-
ltical power TO the workers. The organize
ton Of the city workers will then take over
the socislized industries, such as transporta-
ton and manufactures, and conduct them
comparatively on a democratic basis. In
agriculture, there being no large development
Of modern processes in Russia, the lands will
be divided as individual holdings among self
sustaining peasants
An Impossible Programme
This economic programme Of the Bolsheviki
is wholly impossible of realization in Russia
at present. Russia is developed neither in
dustrially nor politically TO degree which
would make such a system practicable. The
first thing essential to = modern democracy,
either in politics or industry, is popular edu-
cation. People who cannot read and write
.cannot govern themselves. In Russia a vast
majority of the workers in both country and
city are illiterate. Russia will have to have
free public schools for a generation before
she can begin to do what the Bolsheviki are
row trying to accomplish. Furthermore, the
- II ucta "a upner
TO any one who has given even the slightest
attention to her industrial and financial sta
tistics The good hearts of the Bolsheviki