South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-14


ments hefita-
L-@-- tation I accept
Princes R,dziv,uI ed. chiefly out
Of curiosity, for
at that time no one dreamed that
parsonage in question would ever do
anything remarkable except talk
more than was necessary. We still
that was last April was in
the success OF the revolution which
had just swept away the throne of
the Romanoffs. and feeling con-
WINGED as we did that il was going
10 lead US toward great things. the
utopianisms Of Mr.. Lenine seemed
To us 20 be devoid OF importance.
The man himself, however. was an
interesting parsonage on account OF
the part which he had taken in
the preceding revolution. the one
which failed i'm 1905. He was
known 10 be an extremist. and
though we firmly thought that eX-
tremists could never come 20 power
I'm Russian, yet 10 was curious TO
meet and 20 speak with one who
had never made a secret OF his
anarchist sympathies and OF his de-
termination TO regenerate society
with the help Of his more or less
impossible and improbable theor-
les. therefore gladly ayoiled my
self OF this unique opportunity OF
talking with this celebrity OF an
archism called Lenine and IL was
with a certain curiosity that I Went
10 the house OF the friend who had
called me up in the afternoon Of
that same day.
Toulianon. as we called him at
the time (when Lenine was con-
sidered only his pseudonym, having
been assumed out OF sympathy, as
he had said. with the hero of Toll
stOy's famous novel Anna Ka~e-
nine). arrived a few minutes after
me. He was a tall man with a lons
beard. and far more polished man
ners than / had supposed. but with
an uncouth appearance upon which
IL seemed 20 me he prided himself
out OF ostentation. and because he
thought it the proper pose TO as
sumo Indeed he made no mystery
OF the fact that he profoundly de-
spised all people who thought it
necessary 20 wash their hands.
The man Jared upon my nerves
from the first moment / set my eyes
upon him; Jared upon them so
much tina, 1 could not help when
ne began talking of the high ideals
OF anarChism and socialism and
their destructive significance. 20 re-
late 20 him the famous anecdote.
concerning the definition Of con-
servatsm. radicalism and socialism
made by Lord Beaconsdeld, who,
being asked 20 define them. had re-
piled: "A conservative is man
who puts ON a fresh shirt every day.
"a radical is the one who does so
twice a week. while the socialist
dons one every time he finds the
opportunity"
This dad not please Mr.. IoulianOn,
alias Leuine. and ne declared 20 me
that the present situation was far
TOO serious for jokes with which
observation I thoroughly agreed.
asking him. however. at the same
time. 20 explain 20 me the aims
which he and his like We're pursu-
ing az present, now that Russia,
ma ing gotten rid OF its emperors.
was about to proceed TO the recon
struction of her whole political
edihCe.
The reply did not have to be
waited for. and this apostle of
chaos proceeded 10 tell us that so
FAR the revolution had miscarried.
because, although 1t had overturn-
"a dynasty il had not put an end
TO the destable reisn Of the pour-
geoisie and Capitalists-that these
were the dangerous elements which
had 20 be swept away before the
millennium about 20 dawn upon the
whole OF the earth could at last be
established.
he then proceeded TO explain his
whole plan Of dividing the land.
thanks 20 which he Contrived later
on 20 draw 10 his side the sym
pathies Of the peasant class. Ac-
cOrding 20 him. il was a crime TO
own property. and the only possible
way TO insure the happiness OF hui
mainly was 10 destroy this false
idea OF personal possession. which
had been the cause of so much
mischief. What did one want with
fortune and luxury All the people
required was TO eat and drink, and
how much easier life would be If
Dne had the right 20 take what one
required out OF common property.
owned by nobody and managed by
everybody.
could not help smiling as
listened 20 him, and this eNasperat-
ed him. He soon launched into
prophecies OF future evil which
would have made ones blood turn
cold had one believed they could
-eome true. I regret now that 1 did
not listen 20 them more seriously.
as they contained the explanation
Of much that has happened TN Rus
sia since this conversation. What,
however. most arrested my atten-
$50, Vas Tenfnefs Assurance that