The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1922-03-03
By ISAAC MCBRIDE


BY ISAAC MCBRIDE
n USSIA has been devastated by
and NOW there is the famine. but
nevertheless it is potentially the rich
est country in the world probably
richer than any three countries in
Guiding the United States of America.
Russia contains vast sources of
wealth as yet untapped, coal, oil, gold,
copper, silver, manganese, platinum,
and practically every known mineral,
with great agricultural belts compris
ing millions of acres of land as yet I'M
titled. Its vast water power still
awaits development. The forests are
practically untouched.
Under the czars for 800 years no eff
fort was made to exploit the resources
of this vast land. The most primitive
tools were used by the peasants, from
the sickle to the wooden pillow.
In spite Of this handicap the hard
working peasants of Russia had al
ready made the Volga valley the
granary of Europe. 1t has been stated
time and again by competent agricul-
tural economists that given modern
machinery in sufficient quantity Russia
would be able to feed the world with
grain.
Russia stands today, in an economic
sense, where America stood 100 years
ago. It's people have been chained to
a feudal system that had been already
thrown off by practically every other
country in the eighteenth century. This
system has now been thrown into the
discard and Russia is in a position to
make giant leaps forward.
Outside Help Needed.
Progress cannot be made however,
without the necessary Importation of
capital in the form of modern ma
chinery of all kinds, both agricultural
and Industrial Once Russia obtains
the necessary agricultural machinery
its farming activities will develop
probably faster than any other coun-
try in the world. The Russian peas
ant is hard working, thrifty, and has
the natural genius and enthusiasm for
exploiting the land His centuries of
existence have been rooted in the soil,
and with proper tools to work with
his enthusiasm to assist nature in pro-
ducing wealth will be unbounded.
There are almost one hundred thou
sand villages in RUSSIA The peasants
live miserable existence in these vii
lagos. Generally speaking, a flicker
ing candle light is rhe only ilumina
ton of their matched rooted dwell
ings at night On the village streets
there are no lights whatever. Be
nause of the great poverty of the peas
ants under the cars, in spite of the
fact that they worked front Sun-up to
shutdown, and produced the food and
fed not only their own country but
part of Europe the candles were
snuffed out early.and conversation was
held in the dark before retiring. The
candles had to be conserved.
Two years ago the word went
through the villages Of Russia that
when peace came the blockade lifted,
and Russia permitted to enter into com
mercial relations with the rest of the
world, electricity would be brought to
the peasants homes and the streets
lighted. The best technical minds in
Russia on the governments supreme
council of national economy had gone
into the problem thoroughly. and said,
although electrifcation would require
Il vast amount of labor and take Is
years, the work could be done
To carry out this program. the I'M
developed water power would be
harnessed, and great power houses
built All this work was predicated,
however on the lifting of the block
ade and the possibility of new Russia
going into the markets of the world
To purchase the needed equipment,
credits would have to he extended by
other countries and concessions grant
ed to outside capitalists
Big Market in Russia.
There is a wonderful market in Rus.
STA today for United States goods.
In spite of the allied blockade and war
against the country, isolated Russia
still looks to the United States of
America as its best friend. Concessions
are awaiting the coming of American
business men in Russia There is not
a doubt in the world that proper guar
antees can be arranged ON both sides
so that two great countries can get to-
gether to the natural economic and
commercial advantage of each.
The response of American people to
the starving in Russia through the
American Committee for Russian Fam
inc Relief will result in a permanent
reconstruction over there. Certainly
reconstruction cannot be successful,
unless the hand of fellowship sympa-