The New York herald., 1922-12-17
When the BoIsheviks Had to
Give Up Their Program


The third occasion was in March.
1921, when Lenine abandoned the Boz
shevist program, as THE NEW York
HERALD was the first to announce. Had
he not done so the Soviet Government
wcn.d not now be in existence, as
J. -.nine himself now declares. The
peasants were to the last degree dis
contented with the Bolsheviks, and
especially with the confiscation OF
their crops, and had revoited in vari-
Gus parts of Russia. How serious
these revots were the Bolsheviks did
not admit at the time; but 1t is now
clear that if they had gone on for
some time longer the collapse of the
Soviet Government would have been
inevitable, for these revolts were sup
ported everywhere by the Muzhiks.
Makhno held the important town Of
Ekaterinodar for quite a considerable
time; Antonev dominated a tract Of
country nearly as large as England;
Petlura and Savinkov were secretly
getting help, not only from the Rus
sian peasants. but also from the Polish
and Rumanian Governments. and new
guerrilla leaders were arising on all
sides. Finally the Kronstadt sailors. till
that time the most out and out support
ers of the Bolshevik regime, revolted,
and the vast majority of the Retrograd
workmen went on strike and showed
every disposition to overthrow Zino-
view as they had overthrown Keren-
sky. In this critical moment Lenine
saved the situation by abandoning
Boshevism so far as the country was
concerned and modifying It so much
I'm the towns that IL could no longer
be called Bolshevism, while at the
same time treating the Petrograd
workers with a leniency which again
won them over to his side. All these
measures were opposed, not only by
TrotzlSy. Zinoviev, Bukharin and other
Boshevk leaders, but also by the
Communist workmen. who hated TO
see the shops opened again and prt-
vate enterprise allowed once more.
But Lenine insisted that, though he
did not like these concessions him
4. self. the Soviet Government would GER
tainly be overthrown in a few months
unless they were made.
From the above IL win be seen that
the man whose speech / was hurrying
TO hear is a rather remarkable states
man. II seemed certain, however, that
I would not hear him, for when
entered the Kremlln an hour had
elapsed since 1 had first been informed
that he was on his legs. and the
chances were a hundred to one that
he had long since ceased speaking
My worst suspicious we're confirmed
when I found delegates wandering
about in the st. Georges hall and in
other parts OF the building. II Lenine
were really holding forth they should
all be in the st. Andrews hall where
the Congress was sitting.
"who is speaking?" asked a young
Jew with long. tousled hair and a
portfolio under his arm. Has Lenine
spoken yet? heard he was to speak
II don't know" he replied in Russian
the language had used in address
Ing him. IL didn't hear Lenlne was
to speak. It's some German comrade
who's speaking now"
Pushing on, was allowed to enter
the st. Andrews hall after the sentry
at the door had examined my press
ticket. The center Of this magnificent
apartment of white marble and of gold
was filed with the delegates OF all ma
tions. each delegate being seated COM
fortably before q desk as if he were a
deputy in legislative assembly in
stead OF conspirator planning TO let
loose civil war In his own country. A
thin fringe Of privileged Visitors