Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-05-02
BAD CONDITIONS
IN RUSSIA CAUSE
FOR REVOLUTION

olockuolIn, MARCH 14.--tMa1l.)-
Russian peasants south Of Moscow
gladly sell a horse for three boxes Of
matches or a kilo Of salt, it lis de-
clared by persons said to be in touch
with conditions in the interior Of the |
country.
| Observers cite this state of affairs
as the cause of the counter revolution
in March which, they say, began to
take definite form in January, I'm
w%ieldiness of the soviet administrative
machine. the differences among the
B%olshevist leaders and the fuel crisis
with consequent stoppage OF transpor-
tation and lack Of food arc given as
the reasons for the subvcrsive move
mcut.
Discomfort which was prevalent
throughout Russia during the war
period, but concealed in. the presence
Of the invading enemy, could no
longer be reprcssed when the fighting
men returned home to find want and
distress.
First Signs.
The first signs of revolt against the
existing order are said to have been
congress in Moscow last November.
There were further evidences of dis
satisfaction in the eighth ALL Russian
soviet congress which convened in
splendor at Moscow last December.
These symptoms of reaction. it is
stated, were unapparent on the sur
face. but made themselves felt among
resolutions were adopted. but the at.
tack came from a quarter whose inn
portance could not be doubted.
In this eighth congress, the metal
workers and miners unions. led by
s~chliapnikoff, urged the democratiza-
ton of the government which, it was
charged. was military and bureau
cratic. 9 !. I
schliapnikor also demanded that
the food administration be placed en-
;tire1y in the hands of the trade unions.
This was pfsfnly ar attack against
the communist executive committee
and the highest soviet authorities.
More recently the press of the
country has shown signs of greater
freedom and has not hesitated to" at
tack policies of the government
which, it is said, has intrcnchcd itself
by, amounting thousands OF, petty Of
acials.
] Leaders Differ.
Press controversies have revealed
animosities between leaders. For in
stance, Trotzky and his followers are
declared to be set upon a,.policy Of
naturalization of trade unions,
whereas Lenlne FDel1eVeS IT. wiser to
maintain the independence of the
unions apart from the. government
and to use them as training schools
for communism. And there are num-
erous other groups which, it is stated.
are bent upon other projects, reyeal-
ing a~.tendency to destroy the former
unity of. front in Russian policy.
Within recent weeks the tr%ansporta-
ton of coal from the Donetz valley
has grown steadily less. The produc-
ton was between 100000 and 400, 900
tons monthly, but only about $780, 900
tons were loaded for rail haulage:,
due to the practice of appropriation
by subordinate soviet corporations or
councils.
simultaneously with the reduction
in the coal, supply, there was an al
most complete cessation of delivery
OK wood. In addition to this, the
snowless winter and the slaughter Of
horses in 1920 added to the difficulties
Of local transport.
Lack Of fuel resulted in the shutting
down Of rail traffic. According to
soviet newspapers, no trains are run
ming on 80 lines and on the others
only r~udimentary schedules are being
maintained. >
Little hope for Improvement is
held out unless supplies Of naptha
stored at Baku Gan be brought into
the center of the. country.