The Washington times., 1919-01-07
c. v. u. BOY MEETS
RUSSIAN BlBUSHKA

Walter Ostrow, graduate Of George
Washington University, and son Of
Mr., and Mrs. A S. Ostrow, of 1414
Twelfth street northwest, who is in
Vladivestok, Russia, with the United
States Committee on Public Informa-
tion, has written an Interview which
he had recently with Nine. Breshkov-
skaya, the grandmother of the Rus
sian revolution. Nine, ,Breshkovskaya,
he writes, was on her way to Wash
ington to see the President 49,.
His interview is as follows:
1--WE were just nearing the railway
station when we passed a car driven
by Mr.. Caldwin, the American con-
sui One OF the occupants OF the car
was Malcolm Davis, the Siberian man
ager Of the Committee on Public In
formation. Captain Elser waved his
hand to Davis, and at that moment
saw that one of Davis companions
was an old woman. rather stout, with
shawl on her head in truly char
acteristic Russian style. Colonel
Barrows suggested that this might be
the babushka,' and so IL was.
"The colonel permitted Davis to
bring us to her abode, a coupe in a
railroad car, in which she crossed
Siberia. = few minutes later pre-
sented the coloners card to the
Chinese attendant, and we were
ushered into the presence Of the
.babushka'-the grandmother Of the
Russian revolution.
Praises Americans. ...
1.-THE 'babushl1a' received US in her
study. She spoke slowly and in
very clear voice. She was asked IL
she was fatigued. Now, when there
Is so much to do she said, 'it is not
only privilege, IL Is an honor to be
fatigued.' Answering the questions
Of the colonel regarding the situation
in Russia. she replied that Russia
needs outside assistance and when
she was asked IL Americas assist
ance is not misunderstood by Russia,
she replied that, on the other hand,
Russia was misunderstood by Ameri-
cans from every point OF view con-
ceivable. The American. people she
declared, are the most kind and demo
cratic people in the world. I love
America so much
1.-The Russian people are such a
wonderful people, she went on, and
when I was in Pertophaviovsky
fortress I used to read English books
and / was delighted, simply charmed
by their description Of peasant life
and the adaptability and willingness
| of the Russian peasant to turn to all
sorts Of difficult tasks. The Russians
are a peace-loving people and their
confidence Is easily won. They per-
init anyone to sit on their neck
Kaiser Aided Bol.heviki.
ha fWNr -.
shevism,' she declared, could never
have grown to such an extent il the
Kaiser had not supplied the bolshevik
leaders with money. Millions of
rubles came from Berlin and Dresden
"Allied assistance in restoring peace
and order. and the convocation Of a
| constituent assembly is, in her opin-
ion, the only way in which Russia
can be saved. When some of the
members OF the first constituent as
sembly dispersed by Lenine and
Trotzky met in Ufa. some time ago.
she asserted. all nationaIities were
repFesented-all wanted to remain
with Russia
Enough blood has been she'd said
the 'babushka;' Russia lost so many.
20 many men. and the Russian SOL
dters were so brave
Believes In Republic.
THE 'babushka' believes Russia
eventually will become a republic
like America.
Americans are friends Of the Rus
san people she exclaimed: high
thinking men and women The object
Of her trip to America is to secure
President Wilson's active cooperation
W tne restoration OF order in Russia.
yes. she continued, America, Eng
land France. all must meddle in the
aHairs OF Russia. Why not NEEDLE?
Could America calmly look on at what
Us gong on in Russia and not med
die?
AND when come to Washing
ton shall tell President Wilson that
II Is not only an honor TO meddle hut
" Is his duty to NEEDLE. It is a sin
before God above not to meddIe? she
exclaimed in conclusion"