New-York tribune., 1920-11-08
Leader
Saws Russians
Like Red Rule
schlesenger, Just Returned
From Trip Abroad, Finds
I,enine's Harsh Discipline
Deserving of Approval
Denies Peasants Revolt
Workers Have as Much Con-
troll of Government as
in America. He Asserts

paniamin Schlesinger. president OF
International Ladies' Garment
vor.ers' Union, who returned several
,.ns AGO from a trip to Soviet Russia,
Ia Yesterday that the Soviet govern
~. as far as he could observe. en-
;oved the support Of the majority Of
-. ,eonle of Russia. Mr.. Schlesinger
..;a he spent five weeks in Russia, Wis
:.irq several cities, including Petro-
,-ad Moscow and Minsk, and spoke
18th most Of the leaders Of the Soviet
regime
Asked whether the Russian people
,.re nermitted by the Bolsheviki to
sV,ress themselves at impartial. secret
sIsctjons. Mr. Schlesinger said there
Uss no secret ballot in Russia. that the
votirg was done by hand, IN the open.
sRnt" he added. "the Russian people
40 no. ask for any general elections.
and sm convinced that if they did
.Aev would get them
NJ Schlesinger said he was i'm
,rsssed with the IRON discipline with
Which the Rolsheviki ruled the country
srd the general order which. as far as
20 could observe, prevailed in the
cities. He denied reports g peasant
or Socialist revolutionary uprisings,
and SAID the Russian people. although
suffering much privatioN, were gener-
sllv content and were hoping that the
Soviet government would be able soon
"a settle down to the work of rebuild
Ing the country.
Declares Lenine Is Human
Mr.. Schlesinger paid particular trib-
ute to Nikolai Lenine, saying: II will
never forget the two hours | spent with
Ienine." lie declared that despite the
general impression that Lenine was &
man Of iron Will and utter lack Of
sentiment he had 'Ynuch deep human
sympathy and deep human element in
aim"
Asked whether the workers in Rus
sia actually exercised any great con
troll in the administration Of the gov
ernment and industry. Mr.. Schlesingc1
said:
"Well, they have as much control as
the workers have in this country
When the government wants to do any
thing here It doesn't ask the workers
about it, does it? The people of this
eountry had nothing to do with the
passage Of the espionage law and other
war egislation, did they? l can say
ha. the workers Of Russia have al
east as much say as the American
workers have here. As far as suppress
slon Of opinion is concerned. am in
dined to believe that the Soviet gov
crnment does not suppress honest criti-
0ism"
Asked whether the Social Revolu-
tonists and Ne'sheviki were publish
ing paper in Moscow. Mr.. Schlesinge1
said that as far as he could learn they
we're not.
Failed to Notice Protests
The Bolsheviki believe that in time
u revolution q certain amount Of sup
preston is necessary" said Mr.. Schles-
niger. Il did not hear anybody in Rus
sia protesting against it. | myself at
tended meetings of workmcn in fac
tories where there was much criticism
Of the Soviet government. Of course
was friendly criticism. l have failed
,c ind any serious issatisfactior
a9ng the Russian people The stories
nat the Russian people are asking fol
any nationwide rcforendums or gen
eral elections are all false These de-
mands come only from foreign gov.
e-aments. which, ln my opinion, have nc
right to interfere in Russian affairs
But said Nj Schlesinger in con.
eusion III you would ask me whether
would be willing TO see the Russian
system established in this country
would say no.