South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-04
SOVIET SITUATION
BAD, REDS ADMIT
Officials Work Hard. How
ever, to Bring Peace of
Chaos In Nation.

MOSCOW. (By Mail) The pres
ent Russian government 20 all ap-
pearances is one OF the most solid
in all Europe.
II Is in complete control OF the
country, throughout the provinces as
well as in Moscow. It's authority
does not end al the city limits OF
Moscow, as often reported. While
provincial authorities have a great
deal OF local liberty. they actually 10
take orders from the Kremlin IN a
showdown.
This authority reposes principally
upon military strength and control
OF the food supplies. From the tan
gled tumble OF red tape. graft. and
ineficiency OF the old empire army.
Trotsky has succeeded in developing
a military machine that functions.
This army is being used very largely
. in police duty. in absence Of actual
war. although considerable detach-
ments are along the frontier in re-
serve
As a consequence, Russia is to-
| day one Of the most orderly and well
l NAa~'N -AANa NguAALAAtS Al Europe
! Moscow Is full of red guards-they
are in conspicuous evidence on her
streets and in the corridors Of all Of
fetal buildings-but Moscow also
comes as near being a city without
crime as is humanity possible. Petty
thieveries, robberies, and assaults
are surprisingly rare.
City Somebody Forgot.
This success in restoring public
order, the primal requirement Of any
government-has naturally given
the soviet administration a certain
prestige, even among the former in
tellgiencia," who disapprove Of the
political doctrines of bolshevism. and
among the great masses who care
nothing about political theory one
way or another, providing they have
bread.
But, physically, Moscow looks
like city that someone forgot. Her
dwelling houses are shabby and in
great need Of repair. roofs are leaky
and plaster is Clipped. Her pave
ments and sidewalks have deep jag
ged holes Her big business" dis
trict stands vacant, the beautiful
buildings in good condition extern
ally, and all windows fronts intact.
/ But inside is dust and cobwebs.
4 This is due TO the fact that Moscow,
always having been the center of
/ Russia's industry and business, has
a large number of big buildings.
suitable for counting houses and
private business, but not disable for
/ anything else. Weeds grow in the
courtyards Of museums, Libraries and
other public buildings.
Industry ParaIyzed.
Moscow's economic and industrial
! life has been almost paralyzed by
four years of complete cessation OF
private trading activities, with seven
or eight years of nearly continuous
war, during which time Russia has
| been completely cut off from the
outside world.
I Her inhabitants do not look hun
CRY. for there seems to be food in
: Moscow at present, but they are very
| far from being well clothed. And
/ living conditions are extremely diff
/ ficult. Owing TO lack Of sufficient
/ fuel and disrepair Of roofs, entire
/ families are living in a single room.
/ People earn enough, with their free
ratiOns OF a certain amount Of food,
soap and clothing, from the govern
ment 10 keep going. That's about
all. The free list" is being shorten
| ed constantly. Street cars and thea
tiers are already charging, although
! there remain a certain limited num-
Der Of fire tickets for factory work
erS. And soon the food rations will
/ cease. Salaries. however. will be in
/ creased simultaneously.
The soviet government is undOubt-
eddy making a genuine and strenu-
Gus effort 10 remedy the present ma
/ tional poverty. Toward this end, il
/ has been obliged to seek recourse in
a return to many capitalistic princi-
/ pies, discarded when IL assumed con-
/ troll.
To Resume Trade.
Private trade has been reinstated
/ by an edict permitting small com
mercial activities. This activity has
thus far largely taken the form OF
small street traffic. on the New York
East side plan and on the open mar
| kets. although nearly 1000 shops
have also opened. The first squirt OF
shop openings has been checked
somewhat by the realization Of the
heavy overhead expenses such a
shop entails. Street trading Is much
less expensive and quite as profit
able.
The soviet government has an
nounced its intention of permitting
resumption of big business and big
industries on a private capitalistiC
basis in the near future. No large
firm has as yet taken advantage OF
this new offer, however, and il is
still too early to predict how large a
response it will bring from Russian
and other European money circles.
Members of the government de-
clare the administration is prepared
TO go 10 the limit in carrying through
its new policy, and in protecting the
/ interests of capitalists who take ad-
vantage Of its provisions.
The government has put the entire