Atlanta semi-weekly journal., 1918-02-05

the Russian people peasants, not workmen
Certain Socialist leaders, notably Tchernof, saw
that in order to bring about revolution in Russia
it would be necessary to enlist the peasants as well
as the workmen. He founded the Socialist ReVolu-
zionist party.
This party did not disagree with the other So
cialits organizations, did it oppose them. 1t
simply differed in method. and the features that
distinguished its method we're twO First, it worked
among the peasants, primarily; and second. it was
avOwedly terrorist party. That is, in order to
keep heart and spirit in the peasants, it made
policy of employing assassination method
against any officials who oppressed the peasants
with unusual cruelty. The late cars uncle, for
example, was blown to bits by the Socialist Revolu-
tiOnists, were several other high officials who
oppressed the people.
The Socialist RevoIutionists were the first party
to go to- the peasants with detailed solution of
the land problem that satisfied the millions OF till
of the soil. They also, for long period,
the only division of the Socialist party to work with
the peasants at all. Hence, they were well known
to the peasants and much of the strength that gave
them a majority in the constituent assembly Is
traceabe to that peasant support. Tchernof was
elected president by the assembly.
The two features that first differentiated the
Socialist Revolutionists from the other Socialists
have disappeared in the revolution. There is no
longer any need for terrorism, and there is no
longer any need to stir the peasants up to revolt
Hence the party today stands for other things. 1t
stands as opposed to the Bolsheviki, for more mod
crate methods, thus agreeing with the Mensheviki.
In fact the Socialist Revolutionsts and the Menshe
Wiki voted together in the recent assembly On the
other hand, small radical wing or the SOCIALIST
Revolutionist party votes and works with the Boil
sheviki, and hence they, too, known as Bolshe-
Wiki or majoritists, although a matter of fact
they are a small minority.
The readiness of the Socialist Revolutionists to
compromise and cooperate is shown by the fact
that their leader, Tchernof, served as minister of
agriculture in Kerensky's coalition cabinet Tcher-
nof is recognized of the greatest authorities
on agricultural questions in Europe.
In their Socialistc principles, the Socialist Revo-
lutionsts and the Mensheviki are practically at one
with the BoIsheviki. But the Bolsheviki refuse to
compromise stand for direct action, and want all
the power to the proletariat at once Their motto
before they became dominant was More power TO
the soveiets'-the councils of workmens soldiers,
and peasants delegates. Their principal support
comes from these soviets, and from the all
Russian council of soldiers and workmens dele
gates which has just declared in support OF the
acts and policies of Lenne and Trotzky.
The Bolsheviki scorned Kerensky because of his
coalition cabinets and his attempts to reconcile all
imperialists. The original revolution revolt
of all classes. The BOsheviki had major part
in the actual rising; it not until months later,
that with what almost a second revolution,
they seized the power. Since then, they have been
consistent extremists. They brand tame" So
cialists even such members of their Socialist
party as the Mensheviki and the Socialist Revolu-
tionists who less extreme. They are embarked
on what the middle west used to call 'whole-hog-
or-none" attempt Their success depends entirely
on how soIidly the soldiers and workmen and peas.
ants of Russia back them up and on how much
trained executive and industrial talent they can
muster to their support, to direct the proletaran
masses of their communistic state.