The New York herald., 1921-03-09
Ludendorff on Soviet Russia.

In IN interview published in the
Weekly Rerieie, General LUDESDoRFF,
speaking from his knowledge Of the
situation in Soviet Russia and his eX-
perience as military leader, ex-
presses the belief that a blow mt
Bolshevism would be decisive only if
it was struck at Moscow, the heart Of
the Soviet regime. He declares too,
that some such action will be neces-
sary by the people Of Europe II Rus
sia is to reentcr into the economic
life Of the world.
That concerted action by the Fow-
ers has in the past been impossible is,
in his opinion, due largely TO the fact
that the Soviet Government has sue
cecded in making the European work
ing man believe that Russia has
labor Government, while in reality
''neyer in the course Of history has a
Government imposed harder condi-
tions upon workmen than are to-day
imposed In Russia" The deception
which Bolshevism has thus practlsed
cannot, he says, continue Is exist;
sooner or later the truth vii be
known. and 'the Moscow rulers must
anticipate with dread the day on
which the general distress will force
the Governments of Europe to wage
war on the Soviet Government, not
only with the approval but at the in
sistence Of the working masses"
The uncertainties Of the present
situation in and around Petrograd
make it impossible to arrive ut a
just estimate Of the chief factors in
this uprising against the Soviet rule.
While all the reports from mer in
terested in labor conditions, men
such as JoHN SPARGo Of America
HowARD RUSSELL Of England, the
representatives of the socialistic par
ties in Italy, France Belgium and
Germany, and working mems leaders
in Great Britain and this country
who have made studies Of LENiNEs
theories. have condemned the Soviet
rule and deplore the condition Of the
laboring men under Bolshevism, there
n nothing TO indicate that the pres
ent revolt was due TO influences out
side Of Russia. Neither is there any
rea son 10 believe that the revolution
aries are confined to any special class.
IT Il more likely that Il Is 4 revolt in
which nj classes and conditions Of
Russians are participating.
General LuDENDoRFF has appar-
emily little faith in the ability Of the
Russian people themselves to oust the
Moscow dictators from power. He has
the military mans faith in the Red
armys power to overcome revolu-
tion; he gees Chinese battallons well
paid, well fed. obeying the Govern
mcnt implicitly and led by officers Of
imperial Russia who are constantly
under shy surveillance and whose
families are held as hostages. In fact
he apparently foresees the westward
spread Of Bolshevlsm and the neces-
sity OF great western European
army to undertake an offensive
which will rescue the country from
It's present opprcssors.
With this view the Entente Powers
ID not NJ present agree. Neither are
they likely to accept the situation rs
reason for the rebuilding Of new
German army upon a pre-war oasis.
General LrDENpomF evidently appre-
ciates this point and proposes all sorts
Of safeguards against this army's
becoming Il menace TO Europe. mad
vertcntly he makes = most significant
remark regarding the preparation for
the world war. He says. During
peace times. under very favorable
conditions, several months were re-
quircd for preparing the mobilization
of m existing and highly organized
army" This considered in the light