Evening journal., 1921-12-23
RUSSIANS LACK
ALL INITIATIVE
"Sechass" Has Caused
Greater Loss to Nation
Than Famine
PEOPLE ONLY IN
NUMB STAGES
BY EDWIN W. HULIINGER,

~ EDWIN W.
Omitted Press STAFF CorrespodenD.
MOSCOW (By Maid Unborn
lack Of personal initiative on the
part OF the nation as a whole is
Russla's greatest poverty today
greater than famine or economic
ruin wrought by four years Of revo-
luton and civil war.
This single factor is retarding
Russia's recovery more than all
other forces combined. II is Rus
sia's real national tragedy. because
It prevents Russia from effectively
helping herself.
Until a sense OF initiative can be
generally aroused. Russia's eco
nomic development will have to be
largely in the hands Of foreigners, or
Russian Jews. the only class OF ma
tive Russians with much motive
force.
on this account, Russia's recov-
cry may be slow, viewed from
American standards A sense OF
initiative doubtless can be created.
but Il is matter OF education and
OF economic opportunity-for hith-
erto. under Russia's medieval feud-
ali5m. enterprise has never paid" /"
Il generally only enriched ones
overload.
Russia Is the greatest potential
economic and palitical force In Eu-
rope today II is too early to Judge
just how far the shock OF the Revo-
luton has gone in the awakening Of
tho lethargy. The nation is still,
fguratively speaking. in the numb
stage. not having sufcietiy recov-
cred from the blow
Personally the Russians are tho
most delightful and lovable folk In
Europe. Even tho ordinary peasant
or drotshlSy driver has n sense OF
the dramatic that f. even more
pleasing than that OF the Latins.
In so many ways save their lacl
OF enterprise. the Russians have
more in common with American,
than any other continental people
They have the same sense OF humor
they laugh at the same kind o
things They are the only Euro
pean folk save the Irish who do
Translate the average American
joke into Russian. improve II witt
the humanness OF the Russian ar
OF storytelling and you will get a.
hearty and instantaneous laugh a
IN Los Angeles. In all other Euro
pean countries the American jok
falls absolutely nat.
Russians are genial. like Ameri
cans. They possess that American
interest I'm the other fellow. The
are naturally trusting trait whic
oven the years Of revolution. an
espionage under the Car haven
been able 10 eradicate.
They are the only continents
Europeans who practice America
hospitality. Every European hom,
save tho English, IS closed" con
paratively speaking 20 foreigne
Evcn in these hardest OF hard day
have found Russian homes as ope
and cordial TO a stranger as homo
in California or the proverbs
South.
They are the only continents
Europeans who possess that hal
sentimental interest in women an
children 80 typical OF the Angle
Saxon. particularly the American.
Geographically. Russia has NOR
in common with America than an
other European nation Both ar
big countries with the mutual prol
lens OF large geographical unit
Both are composite nations.
But the Russian sochass Is a m,
ment, unfortunately tells more
Russia's story than any other sing
word in tho Russian ianguar
Like "Manana" in Mexico. II IA N
most frequently recurring word
the language. There is a differenc
however. I'm that when tho Mexica
says. "manana" he never expects
do the thing. but when tho Russia
says "sechass." he really Intends
do 70 sometime.
An appointment with a Russia
statesman is tho most uncerfal
quantity IN Russia II he makes
date for two in the afternoon. :
may receive you at FIVE. perhaps
six. no may receive you immediat
ly. He may. al end OF three hou
Of waiting ask you to please con
back tomorrow or next week. Th
latter may hc repeated two or thr,
times. The sense or promptness
engagements simply doesn't exi
I'm Russia. Everybody comes on
two. three. hours late.