South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-19

gresham Henry A. Barnhart act
ed as tOastmaster Of the evening.
Prof. Dennis brought 10 those at
the banquet the reasons why the
bolsheviki are causing so much trou-
bic across the Atlantic and why the
l. W. ". movement is disturbing
the welfare Of the people on this
side OF the ocean. He was in Rus
STA a. a representative of the Amer
lean people and found through ac-
tual experience that bolshevism vii.
not be subdued until the i, dustrial
situation In Russia undelgoes \
great change.
Russia IS composed Of 1O3 diff
ferent forms OF languages. although
80 percent Of the people are litter
ate and are known as the dark
people" asserted Prof. Dennis. BE
fore this great labor uprising can
be rearranged and harmony substi-
tuted these people must be en-
bshtened. II IS the aim Of the
higher up class that these people
be kept in ignorance and not be al
lowed to learn of democracy.
A Peace Loving People.
The peasants were at one time
a peace loving people, although they
we're not in favor with the manner
in which they were used by the
lords of the lands. Trey were com
PEELED to work with but a small
wage, which was taken from them
soon after they received it. Dur
ing the beginning of the war Ger
man propaganda was spread broad
cast throughout the nation and the
peasants began to believe they were
being trodden on. They became I'M
der the impression that there should
be no private ownership of either
lands or industries and proceeded
throwing out the heads of the in
dustries rs well as their landlords.
The peasants owned on an aver
age one acre per capita, while one
half of one percent Of the popula-
ton owned so percent Of the area
If Russia. The peasants formed
communities and in a wheel sys-
tem titled the land surrounding the
hub Of the wheel. The people OF
the large industrial centers were
starving for want of food and every
train. carried hundreds of women
ard children 10 the rural districts
ia search OF food TO survive on.
Many times they would return with
a sack of dirty black flour which
they had purchased at great price.
only to have it taken from them
by the German leaders who were in
the cities.
Americans have time and time
again asked the question. why did
the Russian army leave the field Of
battle and go back home. The lead
ers of the bolsheviki movement told
them TO go back home with their
guns and take up the pillow and they
would be gwen land and control of
the factories. With no better out
look 10 them by starving in the
army. they left the front and pro-
ceeded TO what they believed the
best thing for them. back where
they would oe free people, not 10
be harrassed with landlords and un-
Just leaders in their industrial
world.
Always Wanted Raise.
They forced the landlords off the
lands AMI divided 1t between them.
They took the owners of the indus
tries to the gates of their factories
and told them never to come back.
They elected d committee to man.
age their factories. After a few
weeks work they demanded a raise
in wages to meet their needs. This
was granted them, but soon they
wanted another raise, which the
committee found unable to meet and
they proceeded 10 kick" that COM
nittce out Of power and elected an
other. The second committee was
forced to give them a raise or lose
their power. ard SO OH until one
committee followed another in close
succession. In order 10 meet the
demands of the laborer il was nee