The New York herald., 1922-08-20
TROTZKY'S POWER
FAILS IN CONGRESS
OF THE COMMUNISTS
Delegates Bluntly Say They
Want Work and No
More Warfare.
BREACH MADE IN SOVIET
Zinovieff Tries to Heal Differ
ences, but Moderates
Stand Pat.
BREACH MADE IN SOVIET

Special Cable 10 THE NEw YORK HEHAI.D.
Copyright. 1922, 5y THE NEW YORK HERALD
Moscow, Aug. 12 delayed in trans.
mission) After being howled dowr
for rafting the saber at the congress
of the Communist party this week
Leon Trotzkys power has greatly
weakened, according TO the feeling In
the highest Soviet circles. while the
strength of Zinovieff with his moder-
alton and attempts at pacification has
been materially enhanced.
The sittings made it obvious that
strong cross currents are working
among the delegates and that def.
mite split is threatened. Tuesdays ses-
sion ended amid great uproar. Sokol-
nikoff and Carl Radek made violent
speeches on the European situation
denouncing the perfidy and selfshness
of the Powers and arguing that If Rus
sia had been granted credits of 3,000,-
100000 rubles gold she could have be.
gun her reconstruction. but that now
Russia must prepare to assert her po-
sition as the leading political factor
in Europe. and that Poland particu-
larly must be taught lesson.
This fighting spirit was not TO the
taste OF some Of the delegates. who
stated bluntly that il was work and
not war that would restore Russia
These declared that the present Lead
ers were making a mess of things and
If they were not prepared 10 concen-
trate on economic recovery they
must 90. -
Trotzky intervened with a passionate
attack on the opposition. declaring that
the critics of the Government must be
put down ruthlessly. This caused un-
constrained bowling and Trotzky was
unable to so on. Schliapnikoff. leader
OF the socalied workers opposition.
Gained down the excited assembly and
attempted the role OF mediator. On
his suggestion the congress passed a
motion directing the Soviet TO bend all
its energies to bring about economic
recovery, and adding that IL should fur
ther take measures necessary TO maze
Rrssia's military position secure. This
motion uniting the points OF view Of
both factions was passed unanimously.
Trotzky then brought up the question
OF home opposition and the reprisal
measures necessary to cope with II. The
uproar Immediately started afresh. In
sulting epithets were hurled at Trotzky.
who vas asked by a burly peasant from
the Volga how many Jews had died and
how many had fat Jobs as commissaries.
Trotzky attempted TO counter with the
rhetorical declaration that for his part
he knew neither Jew nor Christian and
that Russians and Israelites we're all
Communists ana brothfrs But the con-
gress. which was definitely In a bad
humor refused 10 listen 10 him. The
President vainly tried 10 restore order
and finally. after nearly an hour OF
pandemonium. closed the sitting
Zinoviefr made every effort 10 close
the breach In the Soviet ranks. but II
appears that he was unsuccessful. At
an important private meeting Friday
the leading moderates drew up a MEM
orandum calling attention to the critical
situation in the country Among the de-
cisions taken was a formal commuta-
tion Of the death sentences imposed on
the social revolutionary leaders and a
declaration that cooperation with the
non-Communist Socialists should be
sought.
Trotzlly and other extremists strenu-
ously oppose this policy and will be sup
ported by tho executive committee OF
the Third lnternationsle. Ii Is UNDER
stood that the modera.es intend to con-
test the seats Of the extremists AT the
coming elections and will appeal for
the support of all modern democrats
elements. including the Mensheviks and
Socialists.
Some go so far as 10 say that this Is
the beginning Of the end OF Bolshevism.
There have been no free elections since
the institution Of Sovie.ism. II is eN-
pected that II the moderates persist IN
their intentions the extremists will at
tempt - put them down BY force. but
owing 10 the strength OF the moderates
II Il feared thar this will mean dis
rupfon Of the Communist party
The congress adjourned and will meet
again as the fourth congress In Pesro-
grad in November. Elections viii be
held al the end of August IN Siberia
and north Russia but the central and
southern districts will vote between oc-
tober and December. Stain read a reply
from Lenine 20 the greeting sent him by
the congress. In this reply Lenine pro-
fessed to look forward 70 the day when
he will be able again 10 participate in
state affairs but II Is extremely doubt
ful whether Lenlne ever saw or heard Of
the reply purportlng q have come from
him.
The congress elected an executive
committee 10 conduct the affairs ot the
party until next year THIS IL COM
posed Of Kameneff. RakowslSy. Stain,
zinoweff Tonhsky. TrotzlSy. SaiutsSi.
Khaitonoff. Selensky ordsconskidje and
Jaroslavsky.