The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-21
MOSCOW NEAREST
NORMAL Of ALL
RUSSIAN CITIES
Whole Country Forced to Con-
tribute to Upkeep of Soviet
Capital, Associated Press
Correspondent Learns.

HELSINGFORS. Finland, Aug 81
IBy the Associated Press )--Of all the
cities a traveller sees in crossing Rus
STA, Moscow seems to present an ap-
pearance the nearest to normal. The
whole country contributes to its up
keep; from as far east rs Irkutsk
shelves OF shops have been stripped
of supplies and manufactured articles
while even the household goods Of we'll
to-do individuals have been shipped TO
the soviet capital, and the city houses
also the war booty taken by the Boil
sheviki after they occupied Siberia.
During a brief stop in the city. where
he was deported 10 Finland because Of
making trip across Russia from Nladi-
Vostok without advance soviet authori-
cation, the Associated Press correspond
ent was particularly impressed by the
busy aspect Of the thoroughiares.
Upon estering Moscow one lmmedi-
ately notes the appearance in the
streets of larger number Of we'll
dressed pedestrians There also Is an
animated number Of street cars, auto
mobiles and carriages. Parks and gar
dens are kept under flower beds and
squares are well cared for.
Only few stores are open In the
city, there being block after block Of
dirty shop fronts long used in past for
posters OF Bolshevih propaganda.
usually featuring the likeness Of Lenine,
TrotEky or Marx, Markets and bazars
are open, however, and II Is possible in
such places TO buy great variety OF
food. including meat, white bread, fruits
and sugar
Many reports Of the condition Of the
Russian cities are exaggerated one, TO
the effect that Moscows trees have
been cut down and wooden buildings
RACED. certainly seems untrue. let
Moscow, like the entire country from
Irkutsk to Petrograd, is in frenzy Of
wood chopping in preparation for WIN
ter.
Forests in the vicinity Of the city are
being cut and light railways laid to
them. For a hundred miles southeast
of Moscow the trees have been cut
back to the railroads only so yards.
After two years with wood ms the chief
fuel, the local resources appear hardly
touched.
The picture OF Moscow which an
American correspondent sees is CEN
sored view obtained while being piloted
about by a Bolshevik interpreter. with
out this attendant the correspondent
could not leave the Bolshevik guest
house The officials continually probe
visitors for their Impressions, IL Is APP
parent that behind the curtain of ap-
pearances is the real Moscow. The
well-dressed persons appearing, 1t Is
said, are soviet officers and commits
sars and their friends or favorites, who
have been permitted to requisition the
supplies remaining IN MOSCOW OF btlHb
sent in from Siberia and other re-
claimed districts.
The street cars, which seem to be OPP
Grated normally, serve to transport
wood, grain, hay and troops, as wen as
the usual passengers.
The automobiles are the property Of
the government.
The bazars give fairly genuine in
sight into the real life Of Moscow, There
are o thousand spectators. made up
of soldiers, workmeu and women, who
daily risk arrest for trading in sup
piles other than the black bread, soup
and cooked grain which the government
has issued.
Prices in the baZars preclude pur
chases except by spectators and by
those earning more than 5000 10 b,V0
rubles monthly, the amount which the
RolsheVih pay workmen. In these
markets the American dollar brings
from 9, 900 TO 5000 rubles THE COM
parison with the American dollars value
apparently pertains 10 the ruble) While
the masses OF the people struggle to oh
tain daily supply OF food the extra
rationed classes OF government officers
eat plentifully OF white bread and meat
at the Bolshevik guest house.
The problem Of obtaining food has
become n chief concern to the cities,
Garden grown potatoes and cahhages
are expected to make the popuous cen
tiers partially Independent OF the coun
try for supplies this winter.