New-York tribune., 1919-05-16
Russia's Vicarious Sacrifice

It is difficult, almost impossible, to
visualize the conditions in Russia. The
happenings are so alien to all precon-
ceptions that American thought cannot
easily take in the actuality, and many
prefer to believe there is misrepresen-
otation.
But the grim truth spreads. Russia,
the land of greatest food production,
sees millions reduced to starvation. Ur-
ban workingmen, facing death if they
remain, are in flight to the rural re-
gions; they pack the Russian villages,
pleading to become peasants again.
Russia, as result of the mad expert
ments by fanatics, is going back to the
Middle Ages-to life as it was precari-
ously lived before the rise of modern in
vention, the modern organization of in
dustry and modern division of labor.
Bolshevism has been only partially ap-
piled, for Lenine and the servitors of his
tyranny are busy finding excuses to
modify their doctrine, but it is made
clear what the system does to the prole-
td14rt. llS swapping u SOOUS
stops, and thus an axe is laid at the root
Of urban life. The peasant on his self
contained farmstead can get along with
out buying or selling, but not so the
city dweller. The enforced depopula-
ton, running as high as 70 and 80 per
cent, in Russian cities is what was ex-
pected when Bolshevism was not quickly
killed.
For some time the capitalistic system
has not been in good repute. 1t is nom
ethical. 1t is based on human selfish
ness. In the distribution some gain
more dividends than seems fair. Re-
sentiment is thereby aroused. So the
Manchester school Of political economy
has been rallied at. Nearly every one
has been infected to some degree by the
sentimental reaction against its coldness
and inhumanity, although general COM
fort has greatly increased under its
sway and in every respect human exist
ence has been improved.
The abscess of discomfort was certain
to break some day through the thin
walls which confined it; some social
group was sure to try the experiment of
applied socialism. For time radical
France seemed the probable place; then
Germany; in the end the bursting came
in Russia. Russias masses were primi-
ssiye, were gullible and habituated to
sobedience, ard Russia's inteliectuals and
her leaders of industry were dissatisfied
with czarlsm. The war opened door of
Opportunity, and when the moujiks were
told by demagogues that millennium day
had arrived they accepted the revelation
>.as one sent from heaven.
;. Russia has since been laboratory,
and, while the vivisection has been hard
on its victims, others have gained much
correcting information. The conse-
.quences in Russia, where for the first
time in the modern era socialistic theo-
ries have been put to the test of use, are
such as to make. it improbable for social
ism, except the wholesome evolutionary
kind, to progress for generation or
two Socialist doctrinaires do not yet
realize this, but they will.
But Bolshevisui, it is said, did not
shave fair chance-struggled with war
-.rernainders and with armed forces with
in and without. Of some weight, but. on
the other hand, many conditions favored
the experiment. Russia's population is
but Is per cent urban and Industrial.
, sand this was Of enormous ADVANTAGE.
.1maglne trade stoppage here, where SO
per cent dwell IN cities, or in Great
Britain, 30 per cent urban, or in Ger
many, 70 per cent, OF in France, go Der
cent uroan- Bolshevism has had bet
ter chance in Russia than elsewhere
Russia has held out for a year and a
nan; we could scarcely hold out six
months.
But why do not the Russian peon1e
!, snake off the incubus? They can't,
Ihey are In the grip Of an organized and
armed minority, and such rninorities are
J. able TO rule for long periods under the
!. DaasiTty Of the governed. superstition
n not dead. Men have accepted the con-
SaraSng dominion Of priests and mon
archs joyfully. SO they follow Lenjne
with equal relidosity.
Nor Is 1t neceszary to deem the 4a1se
leaders are conscloasly ingincere. The
man who led an army Of children. with
their parcntg consent, TO the shares o,
j the Mediterranean on the theory that Al
s the approach Of the innocerss the water,
i would part and he would lead them q
the redemption Of the Holy Sepulchr.
/, probably honestly believed the miracle
would happen. Lenine, when he tool
German money, perhaps was persuaded