New-York tribune., 1922-08-27
rotzky Hints At
ar If f rance
Goes Into Rullr
F,pssia Could Not Remain
passive, He Declares, i'm
Discussing the Situation
Wit b Correspondents
ARMY Is Cut TO 800, 600
Policy Of Paris Operates TO
Drive Germany Into Rev
oIutio1l, He Tells Them


MOSCOW, Aug. &c tfy The Assoc.
sled Press. Russia already has re-
aaeed her fighting forces 60 100000
men and always is ready to enter any
disarmament conference which gives
r,,aranties of success. She does not
satirirase any Immediate intervention,
bus eonsiaars that an attack always is
pcsss.sle, and it is doubtfu. If she could
remsin Massive in the event that
Frslee invaded the Ruhr region and
enlisted Poland in renewal Of the
ssaaiet with Germany
Issn Trotzky, Soviet Minister of
war made these assertions Ia an IN
ssnssw in which he submitted to a
s,..s6re of questions from fifteen for
s;n correspondents regarding Soviet
userna, and internal problems. He
szps@sned that Russia is now so tran
sna shat Premier leninc can take his
ruch-needed rest and at the same time
srnain perfectly in touch with the
uob.ems Of sta.e
Regarding the American Relief Ad-
ministration. the Minister explained
that he considered it not only hu-
nanitarian organization, huf also "an
instrument through which America
could be informed of Russian condi-
tions. He added: II am tranquil re-
gsrding the results of their investiga-
ions"
French Tactics Criticized
Later he expressed the opinion that
France was adopting the very tactics
needed to drive Germany into revolu-
tion.
'sIf France, by invading the Ruhr,
and with the assistance of Poland,
precipitated new European conflict,
do you think Russia could remain pas
sye7" he was asked, and his reply
YES: ~ doubt it."
IL the occasion came for a revolu-
ton in Germany, then, said Trotzky,
Russia and Germany would form an
sneonquerable bloc, economically and
agriculturally." This assertion. of
course, would be misinterpreted in
America, where, he added laughingly.
Il am in bad repute."
Trotzky's jaw hardened when the
Associated Press correspondent asked
II the government had any intention
cfrestoring Of the liberty of political or
ssnization TO Russian parties other
than the Soviet.
When capitalism is beaten. was
bis answer.
With reference to the recent decree
uf banishment for political offenders,
frotzky said the trial of the Social
hyolutionists had proved that in the
sssnt Russia should be attacked from
Mead those persons who constantly
we waiting for change in the gov
azrient would become agents for the
amy
No Property To BE Restored
The minister explained that the con-
arences at Genoa and The Hague had
hown clearly what Lenine meant when
b said in regard to the so-called re-
teat of the Boisheviki toward capi-
talism: We are in a transitory stage
which will give us the experience of
the capitalistic world, but we will not
recognize or restore private property p
This was the first time in many
months that Trotzky has received a
group of correspondents. Suave, plump
and impeccably groomed in his army
blouse, he answered questions in fluent
french, smiling most of the time ex-
eept when he snapped an occasional
heliigerent answer.
Our fighting forces have been re-
duced from 5,500,00o to 100000, includ-
ing myself" he said. .'We proposed
dssarmament at Genoa and also to the
Baltic states, from which we received
ssasiye answers. But if any govern
ment, the American, for instance, would
propose to us disarmament confer
eaee, with any guaranty for success,
we would come gladly"