New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-11
G,orky on the Bolshevikii

NAXlM GORkY the noted novelist
W. ond story rr>ater, acho rose from
the underworld to occupy DOM
inant position in Russian letters, continues
to c,'iticisc the extremist methods of the
BolshevM government through the me-
diam Of his paper "Novo Zhisn'' (New
Lifc). More fortunate or influential thar
other acriters, has liberty has so far not
been restricted nor his paper been inter-
fcred acith. A cable, ho1Ueue1, mhick qvos
published IN this city on Monday, re-
fer2ed to an editorial IN Gorhy's paper in
achich he dedantly announced that the
ma7ay threatening letters which he qcus
recelcin9 aoiU not deter him from. speak,
1ng has mind 1ctth regard to the measures
proposed and ercesses lndi1ged IN by the
present regime. This article appearing
IN recent number of the "Noua Zhisi1a"
mhich has Just reached this country, IS
undoubtedly one of the utterances of the
editor auhich haze elected the threatening
letters.
short while ago I was accused of having
sold out to the Germans" and of having
"bctrayed Russia" Now am being charged
with "havng sold out to the Cadets" (Con-
stitutional Democrats) and with having ODE
trayed the interest of the working classes"
do not feel hurt by the accusations and
charges. They do not even move me to
anger. They only arouse sad and unhatter-
ing thoughts on the moral standing of the
accusers and upon their peculiar social con-
sciousncss.
want to ask you this, my dear gentle
men: Are you not too readily and too light
mindedly bandying about the severest
charges concerning disloyalty, treason and
moral degradation To give credence to
your words would be to come to the con-
clusion that the whole of Russia is popu-
lated with people who have no other bust
ness in life excepting to sell and betray
their country. Your careless manner of ac-
cusing each other of treason, disloyalty,
self aggrandizement and deceit would give
the impression that the whole of Russia is
land filled with people of mean motives.
Yet are you not Russians yourselves?
Imagine the inference that may be drawn?
Our revolution is now said to have been
made with Japanese money and then with
the money of the Germans, the counter
revolution financed by the Cadets and the
English. Where, then, is our Wanted sin.
cerity and idealism, our celebrated revolu-
tionary heroism, our Don Quixotism and all
other admirable qualities Of the Russian
people which have been 80 enthusiastically
described and honored in Russian litern.
turc?
Is it all lie?
The Workers n Mighty Force
You should understand that when you cast
such aspcrsions upon each others motives
you traduco tho whole Russian nation. It
appears to me that write 80 simply and
comprehensibly to enable intelligent
workingmen to judge whether nm betray-
Ing tho interest Of their class. l regard tho
working class ns II mighty force for en-
lightcnmont In our darkencI lnnd OF mui,ks.
and wish with all my heart for the further
development and progress OF Russian labor.
The labor activities OF our country have n
dlatlnctive character. and therein also lies
tho great difference between tho mental
attitude Of tho lnborer and tho noui of tho
peasant, and regard the enlightened
workngnnn as the nristocrnt OF democracy.
have made clear TO what high position I |