Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-03-28
ESTABLISHED 1855
ROBINS Tells OF RUSSIANS
Former Red Cross Commissioner
Claims to be Informed
ACTUAL CONDITIONS misunderstood

The Idea that the Bolshevists Are Only
Thugs and cutthroats Is All Wrong
-Lenine and Trotsky are Working
on a Wrong Idea, But They Are
Honest About It.
Before 1900 members and guests of
the League Of Free Nations associa-
ton, which stands for the immediate
formation Of a league Of nations as an
integral part Of the final peace treaty,
Col. Raymond Robins of the Ameri-
can Red Cross mission to Russia, talk
ed in New York for more than three
hours on Saturday afternoon on condi-
tions in Russia as he found them dur
ing nearly years stay in that coun-
try.
This was Colonel Robins first public
address since his appearance before
the United States senate committee in
the Bolshevist investigation, and he
told his hearers that he had been con-
tent to wait nearly year, being con-
fident that in due time he would have
a chance to appear before an intelli-
gent audience and tell the truth about
Russia. He also exhibited a formida-
BILE array Of documentary proof Of his
statements. Frederic c. Howe, United
States commissioner Of immigration,
presided.
"It is my deliberate judgment that
Lenine and Trotsky are sincere inter-
national Socialist revolutionists en-
gagged in a world revolutionary enter
prise" he declared, modifying his
statement, however, by adding that, in
his opinion, their programme, which
they have followed sincerely at the
risk Of their lives and for which they
are still risking everything in the hope
of a world revolution" is economically
impossible and morally wrong. He said
also that these leaders had no love for
the Allies, but still less for the Ger
man military autocracy.
Work Under kerensky.
The speaker further declared that he
had spent three months with the ke-
rensky government, doing his utmost
to help stabilize it, and six months
with the Soviet government, and dur
ing this latter time he saw Lenine and
Trotsky on an average of three times
a week. 1T was in Russia from July,
1917, to June, 1918, and if I do not
know more Of the Russian situation IN
that time than any other Allied repre-
sentative 1 neglected my opportuni-
ties" he said, later adding that he was
the only Allied official who ever talk
ed with Nicolai Lenine after six
months with the Soviet government.
Colonel Robins told Of his work in
trying to help feed Russia under the
Kerensky government and declared
that the Allied policy and demands on
Kerensky, based on the testomony OF
the reactionary per cent indoor, tea
table thought Of Russia and disregard
ing the SO per cent outdoor opinion
destroyed Kerensky's power and over
threw the provisional government.
knowledge of Facts Needed.
No one can get at the actual facts in
the Russian situation, he explained,
until he can understand the economic
difficulties of the country. II he does
understand them, he said, he will real
ize how the Russian people, fond OF
music, art and literature, and not tai
ented industrially, had taken the per-
son nearest at hand to manage their
industries for them, that person IN
most cases being a well-trained Ger
man or Austrian who had not only
been trained in industry in the schools
of Berlin and Vienna, but also in the
Russian language. When war was de-
clared, he added, these industrial man
ayers had returned to Germany, thus
leaving Russia seriously hampered
economically, and to increase the diff
ficulty, they had come back to act as
secret agents to complete the demoral-
ization Of industry and to profit by it.
Colonel Robins paid enthusiastic
tribute to Col. William Thompson, who,
he said, gave s1,O00,000 Of his own
money, not to the Bolsheviki, but to
prevent Bolshevism from getting into
power in Russia, and who did his best
to make the Russian people under
stand that the defeat of German au-
tocracy was absolutely necessary for
the success and protection of the rev.
olution and revolutionists. The Amer
lean government, he added. could have
organized the economic power of Rus
sia, have furnished the economic
brains and controlled the raw mate
rials of the country.
Economic Situation Known.
That neither Trotsky nor Lenine had
ever broken their word to him, but
that they had put efficient power be-
hind whatever they had promised him
and that Lenine had even helped him
at personal risk, was also asserted by
Colonel Robins. He said also that they
understood perfectly the economic sit
uation in Russia and had asked him
to get economic aid from the United
States. At no time, however, did Lee
nine or Trotsky pretend any special
friendship for the United States, but
said that they hoped the proletariat in
the United States would get control OF
the government, he said, and added
that he urged them to shoot their dis
organizing formulas into Germany, as
that would help the Allies win the
war
Over and over again Colonel Robins
scored what he calls the stupidity OF
those who believed that the Soviet
government represented only thugs
murderers and German agents. He
said, too that although he believed the
soviet formulas to be wrong, still ne
considered it possible even yet to save
the values of the situation for the AL
lies, for the United States and her eco
nomic interests instead of forcing