The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-08-13

"Soviet Russia is stricken by a
great national calamity, similar to
that which occurred in 191. The great
drought, continuing from March to
June, has caused famine and distress
in the Volga provinces, which former
ly yielded 80 per cent. Of the entire
Russian harvest. Even seeds for the
coming season are non-existent. Twen-
ty million people are threatened with
hunger and death. Not only this, but
also next year. Famine is inevitably
accompanied by disease, which is
moving down the already weakened
people.
"All these blows fall upon Soviet
Russia at the moment when she is
exhausted and well-nigh ruined by
seven years of imperialist and civil
wars when she is as vet unable either
to supplement the peoples economic
struggle by new forces or to remove
old wreckage. Soviet Russia fought
and suffered for the entire interna-
tional proletariat. Her bleeding
wounds she received in fighting the
worlds capitalism, not alone for the
Russian revolutionary proletariat, but
also for the worlds workers.
"The capitalists of all countries,
realizing this, have helped the Rus
sian bourgeoisie to attack Russia, not
only in an effort to save the profits
formerly squeezed out of the Russian
peor'e, but also to destroy the State
which first raised the banner of the
working class revolution, which be-
came a pillar Of light indicating the
way to the awakening masses of all
countries.
Attack Under the Mask Of Charity z,
= ap;taliss States and capitalist
Governments will now attempt to
make use of the famine in Russia
after being defeated by the arms Of
the Red army and the struggle of the
European proletariat in their attacks
upon Russia-to reorganize this at
tack under the mask Of charity and
benevolence. Part of the capitalist
press declares openly and cynically:
Let the masses perish from famine
if they will not rise against the Soviet
Government The French Imperialist
Government sends troops and muni-
tions 10 Poland to prepare base for
another attack on Soviet Russia, which
shall start in at the moment of deep
est distress. The French diplomats are
endeavoring to involve Roumania, the
Baltic States and the Little Entente
in these criminal designs.
"The English and American Gov
ernments, which once We'd with each
other in, humanitarian phraseology.
now pretend to know nothing about
the misery of the Russian people
Half furtively, however, they promise
help to Russia while limiting theil
readiness to realize their promise il
Soviet Russia will allow her affair.
to be managed by their nominees ant
those of the Russian counter-revolu
tionary bourgeoisie. This means thar
they want the Russian working class
to permit in return for crust o.
bread the organization of the counter
revolution on Soviet soil; or, if tn,
Russian working class refuses tt
cause rebellion, by starving the mas
ses of proletarian men and women O
the entire world.
"Do not forget the blood Of Russian
workers and peasants shed for you
sake. Do not forget the hunger whicl
they have suffered these three year
for the common working-class cause
Do not forget that counter-revolu
tionary attempts against the Russian
proletariat are attempts against yor
Prevent such designs by the world
capitalists. Nip them in the bud.
Against Any Conditions Of Relief.
"The Communist Internationale in
vites not only all Communist parties
Red trade unions and co-operators
but all honest workers, irrespective o
party, to force their respective Gov
ernments to understand that they wi
not tolerate preparations for a ne,
war against Russia, and that they wi
not allow their Governments to max
any conditions in helping Soviet Rus
sia.
"The Soviet Government, discardin
all party and political consideration
has already invited the assistance Q
the honest bourgeoisie parties, who's
conscience and humanity have assert
ed themselves. They unierstsnd this
the Soviet Government wishes to hel
all elements In distress and all soun
elements in Russia are ready to &C