New-York tribune., 1920-02-15

sweep of the Russian revolution as
seen by the head Of the American Red
Cross mission in Russia Robins has
been accused of sympathy with Boil
shevism, and It is true that his state
ments have furnished considerable ma
terial for Bolshevik apologists in this
country But the charge, as applied to
the mans personal views, is altogether
false and unfounded. Hard tells of
one occasion when Robins stayed up
until 2 o'clock in the morning pour
ing out floods of argument to prevent
him from joining the Socialist party.
AS believer IN religion and individ
uaism. Robins was altogether opposed
TO the materialism and collectivism Of
Lenine and Trotzky.
Denounced Bolshevism
Robins's attitude toward the Boil
shevik government was quite simple.
He fought against its establishment
with all his power. He made speech
after speech denouncing Bolshevism
before sullen, simetimes hostile, audi
ences Of war-weary soldiers. He dis
tributed large quantities Of pro-war
propaganda. But, in spite Of all his
efforts, he saw Bolshevism grow
stronger and stronger, until the feeble
Kerensky government collapsed like a
house of cards and Lenine and Trotzky
installed themselves as now rulers Of
Russia. From this moment the Soviet
government was a fact, an unpleasant
disagreeable fact, but still fact. Not
being a professional diplomat, Robins
did not feel that much was to be
gained by solemnly treating the Boil
shevki as if they were non n-existent.
Active hostility to them was impossi-
bic, as no effective nucleus of resist
ance existed among the Russian people
and no Allied troops were available for
Intervention. Under these circum-
stances Colonel Robins dealt with the
Soviet government exactly as he would
have dealt with the Czal's government,
or with any other government, how
CNSA OOJtNLlOIdUIC, JldL iLlEIC Do VI
use in the struggle against Germany.
Probably the most significant reve-
lation in Robins's story is Lenine's Of
fer, presented to him in writing, to op-
pose the conclusion Of the Brest-
Litovsk peace if America and the AL
lied governments would agree to give
Russia effective military and economic
support. Whether or not this offer
was sincere cannot be definitely de-
cided, IS it was ignored by the Wash
lngtcn State Department. Robins be-
lieved it was sincere, and in this view
he was confirmed even by such pro-
nounced anti Bolshevist as Mr. Harold
Williams.
There was an utter absence Of hypoc-
risy in the relations between Robins
and the Bolshevik leaders. Robins
wanted to win the war. The Bolshe-
wiki wanted to create a world wide revo-
luton. Robins looked upon Bolshevism
rs an impractical, pernicious and de-
structive theory. The Bolsheviki were
impartial in their hostility to all
"capitalist' nations. Utterly sundered
in their ultimate ideals, Robins and
the Bolshevik had a common imme-
diate aim: the defeat Of German
militerism, which constituted the most
immediate threat to the Russian prole-
tartan revolution. According to Robins's
own testimony, he was never "double-
crossed" His trains ran through on
scheduled time; his Red Cross supplies
were promptly and honestly distributed.
Vivid Sketches
Through Mr.. Hard's medium Robins
gives vivid, clearcut sketches Of Trotzky
and Lenine. Trotzky impressed Robins
as marvellous orator, capable Of
moving an audience to its depths. His
eioduence at times blinded him to
reality: at Brest-Litovsk he seriously
thought that he could check the Ger
man armies with an onslaught of revo-
lutlonary rhetoric. Lenine was man
of very different type, slight and un-
impressive In figure, dry and me-
chanical in speech, yet possessed OF
Ro"SA ONcI MS ASSOCIATES
through his cold, relentless logic. He
never cherished any illusions about the
possibility Of German revolution as
a result Of the Brest-Litovsk neeotia
t'ons. He was bitterly attacked by some
Of his colleagues for his refusal to
believe in the practicabilty Of stand
against the invading Germans. At a
Soviet meeting Radek, Bolshevik
Journalist, said to him.
"If there were 500 courageous men
in Petrograd we would put you In
prison"
To which Lenine, in an eminentlv
characteristic spirit Of calm. austere
irony, replied:
"Some people, indeed, may 90 to
prison; but if you will calculate the
probabilities you will see that it is
much more likely that l will send Won
than you me-"
Whether or not Colonel Robins is
right in his opinions about Bolshevism
and the best means of combating r.
his work possesses tremendous value
and significance. It Is one Of the few
really big books that haye so far h.ar