New-York tribune., 1922-03-19
I rot long ego to Soviet Russia with
Hoovcr's relief commission. They aro

ELAE are TOT Che Axiler1caNS WHO Came
rot long ego to Soviet Russia with
Hoovor's relief commission. They aro
the Americans who arrived in the
salrn o9 Bolshevism nearly two years ago. A
considerable number OF them arrived there at
hat tine-workmen who were formerly Rus
ian subjects and many years ago left their
aative country and went across the sea.
When it became known that Russian einl-
rants were returning home the Soviet press
lailed it with great JOY as one of the most inn
Dortan. of events. It's Interpretation was that
his constituted positive proof Of the sympathy
qhch the American workers have for the
3olshevist theories and policies.
A small Russian town on the boundary Inns
2 the Soviet paradise, Life flows here its
.aonotonous way The FIVE hundred members
2 the Communist party hold in their grip
he lives Of a population Of about 10000 souls.
All the rich people of the town, al its
-nown business men and prominent city and
county electors, have been long ago ehot down.
In this town one Sunday morning suddenly
appear on the streets, going from the railway
station, groups Of strangers They mark a
strong contrast to the starved-looking, e1naci-
4ted people Of the town, dressed, those
people are, in worn clothes and shoes. The
strangers are all in good health, well-fed lock-
,ng, red faced smoothly shsven, in good coats
and quits and nsw smart shoes
About noontimo everybody in town knows
whc the newly arrived strangers are.
Americans came hers to-day" they tell oua
another "They want to taste life under So
vet rule. In America they have had bad
time and they choose to come here TO this world
Of misery and hell"
The following day the Americans left the
town Tor Pctrogrnd. Their first experience
with Soviet Russia filed them with depressing
thoughts. They had q disappointed and some
what shocked lock. When they left America
1or Russia they were full Of Joyous and happy
expectations. They dreamed Of e land where
they would find true liberty and justice. In
America they were all we'll of and made good
living. especially in time Of war But the In
dustra stsgnation which followed the con-
clusion Of peace forced them temporarily 20
lose their Jobs. Reading in the Russian news
papers, which appear in America, and hear
ing from the communicate agitator8 exagger-
ated reports about the happiness in the Bolsh-
evist realm they decided TO undertake their
trip to tho imagined paradise.
'fIn America We have cspitalistic system
There is no place for & workingrnan. Let US
&c TO Russia, tho Kingdom OF the workers."
they said, like parrots repeating ths words Of
the agitators.
Soon they had their fret checking dissp-
pointment, As aoon as they crossed the boun~
Diary lire on tho side OF Soviet Russia the
4olshcyist authorities took away their Amer!-
can money AMI gave them IL exchange Rus-
efan rubies at the rata of $500 rubles q
dollar. During their stay n town they dis
covered that in the open market they could
exchange their American money at tho rate Of
10000 or more rubles o dollar.
Another great disappointment was that they
were forced to take out Soviet passports for
staying in Russia In Czaristic Russia there
existed q system Of passports, but why, they
wondered, Is needed such system under T.
free socialist government?
While on their way TO Petrograd IN TIA
train the Americans were strictly watched
Time and again the fast roving figure Of e
Soviet representative in cap, wearing big
round spectacles ard badge TO signify his
authority, appeared Unexpectedly In the center
Of the group and began 70 culogize the wisdom
Of the peopleg commissares and tbs genius
sE Lenine.
Next morning the train arrived IN petrc-
grad The Americans we're driven 70 barracks
end nobody was allowed 70 visit them. Later
Ehey were taksn to the communal center.
The Bolahavise government placed S-ess
Aopea IA them. It nai7cly expected that tbs
arrived immigrants could DO diverted to var
ious plants where they would start 20 work
an2 In tids way rsvivf Russian indussry. sus