New-York tribune., 1919-03-07
BOl ism
World Menace.
Says Robins
U. S. Red Cross Worker
Denounces Theory and
Practice of the Bolslheviki
Neao York Tribune
Washington Bureau

Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, March 6. - Colonel
Raymond Robins, who was in Russia
with the American Red Cross Mission
for year, five months of it under
the Bosheviki, denounced the theory
and practice of that government be-
fore the Overman inquiry committee
to-day with eloquence and fervor
The colonel, best known in this coun-
try as a leader of the Progressive
party, having been chairman of it's
last national convention, was called
largely because Of the demand of the
Bolshevist apologists, who had de-
clared he would support their conten-
tions. He also paid his respects to
parlor revolutionists, and declared that
any person who advocates revolution
in America should be ARRESTED, in
dcted, tried and convicted"
For six hours the committee listened
to his story of the Russian revolution
and its actors, with many Of whom he
came into close contact. He will take
the stand again tomorrow.
lie told for The first time many of
the details of the repeated offers Of the
Bolshcvik leaders to cooperate with the
Allies against Germany and their fail
urc because of the allied attitude.
He avoided discussion of the So
called Sisson papers because, he said,
it would inevitably reflect on Mr. Sis
son, who is abroad. 1t is understood
he will be asked to tell that story to-
morrow.
Mr.. Robins did deny many of the
charges which nave been made against
the Bolsheviki. He believed the stories
of atrocities greatly exaggerated, as
he had found little truth behind the
rumors he had be IN atlc to investigate.
He did not believe the leaders were
consciously pro-German, giving many
reasons for this. drawn from his own
experience. He confirmed the stories
of starvation and destruction of indus
try. lie did not believe that any con-
siderable part of the Russian masses
we're ready to turn against the Boil
shevists.
Colonel Robins emphasized that no
one COulC KNOW IUutn dDOuI Lnc nus
sian situation, but declared he believed
that his close association with Lenine
and Trotzky and others, and his care
full study of affairs there, had qualified
him to speak as we'll as any one could.
"The most delightful thing l have
seen since I came back" he said, was
n cartoon by Ding in The New York
Tribune, which showed three men car
ryng fourth up the street. A by
stander asked what was the matter,
and they replied they were taking him
to the insane asylum because he
claimed TO know all about the Russian
situation. That was the most truth
ful thing about Russia have seen any
where"
Blunders Due to Ignorance
Most of the conceptions about Russia
and most of the blunders made in
handling the situation there were be-
cause Of wide ignorance, he said.
There were in Russia only two classes
Of peoplc-the per cent who were
educated, with whom foreigners came
into contact, and the SO per cent who
worked with their hands. The trouble
had been that many foreigners had
taken their view Of the situation from
the per cent, and 80 never had a con-
ccption of the real outdoor truth" and
entertained false hopes of the over
throw Of the Bolshcviki. He referred
to those people later as those with az
per cent views"
as Bolshevism menace?" he asked