The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-06-02
PROBLEMS FACING
A STRICKEN WORLD
BY FRANK coMERFoRD.


The effort to socialize politics did
not denocratize politics; 1t was not
intended 10. In practical operation, IL
fulfilled its purpose, 1t created q polit-
ical autocracy.
The greatest power in Russia today
In the Red army. Without an army a
minority government cannot exist.
Force is the strength and security of
minority rule. Bayonets held the car
on his throne, the same power holds
the Lenine-Trotsky government in au-
thority. Every inducement has been
offered men TO join the army and the
navy. This Is the best and almost
the only Job In Russia today The
soldier and sailor is at least guaran-
teed good food and a warm bunk. He
escapes the danger of cold and starva-
ton. Living conditions are better in
the Red army than in any other occu-
patton.
Section 10 Of Article of the consti-
tuition In interesting:
For the purpose of defending the
victory Of the great peasants and
workers revolution, the Russian So
ciaiist Federal Soviet Republic recog
nizes the duty of all citizens Of the
republic to come to the defense OF their
socialist fatherland, and 1t, therefore,
introduces universal military training.
The honor of defending the revolution
with arms Is accorded only to the
workers, and the nOn-working ele-
ments are charged with the perform
ance OF other military duties"
Only "Reds" Allowed Firearms
No one else In Russia Is allowed to
have or carry arms. This rule Is
strictly enforced, and searches have
been made almost weekly In search of
arms. II Is q serious matter to have
a firearm in Russia II you are not a
member Of the army. AS conse-
Quence, the one armed force In Rus
Sda today Is the Red army. This Is
the backbone Of the bolshevik govern
nent. The people are utterly help
less. AS long as the army is well fed,
warm and we'll clothed, 1t will con-
tnue to be the most popular occupa-
don I'm Russia
Carrying out the general plan OF
socializing. the bOlshevik government
stripped army officers of rank. In do,
ing this they tried to live up TO the
constitution forbidding the bourgeOisie
entering the army, However, this
theory, like many others, did not work
cut In practice. Skill in military di.
Rection Is Indispensable to an effective
| military machine. Facing civil war
with the Red army alone between the
government and disaster. Lenine and
| TrotZky found Ii eXpedient to turf
their backs upon the constitution. II
| was necessary to have trained men as
ofHcers, and the bOurgeOisie to whom
they had denied citizenship and the
honor of defending the republic, were
| called upon to advise the army.
! Albert Rhyse Williams is a devoted
friend Of Lenine's He was so enam
cred with the bolshevik movement tina
he offered to Join the Red army. He
has written a biography of Lenine
from which / quote:
HE Uenine) sent an automobile
with Red guards to the fortress o.
Peter and Paul to fetch part of the
counter-revOlutiOnar staff In prison
there.
Gentlemen said Lenine, as the
generals filed into his Office, I hav,
brought you here for expert advice
Petrograd is in danger. VIII you b,
good enough to work out the militar!
tactics for It's defenser They as
scented.
Generals Denied Better Treatment.
"'Here are our forces resumed
Lenine, indicating upon the map til,
location of the Red troops, munitions
and reserves. And here are our lates
reports upon the number and disposi
ton Of the enemy troops. Anything
else the generals desire they will cal
for
They set to work and toward eve
ming handed him the result of thei
deliberations. Now said the gen
erals, ingratiatingly, will the premie
be good enough to allow US more com
Portable quarters?
my exceeding regrets replies
Lenine; some other time, but not jus
now. Your quarters, gentlemen, ma.