New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-04-13


ton Of Russia prepared a. London
for submission to the Genoa cor
! ference is more intelligent than most
/ discussions Of Russia's plight But
it fails TO come to grips with the
vital factor in the Russian problem
ID factor whose persistence forbids
/ Russian regeneration.
When did Russia fall sick? During
the early stages Of the war, though
| her losses in men were many, she
I suffered no more than her allies
not so much as France or Belgium.
/ In the main Russian life went on as
usual Except here and there. there
was no lack of food. Industrial pro-
duction actually increased. The
Cars government was corrupt and
inefficient but probably not so much
so as its predecessors.
The disease now raging first mani
/ tested itself when the revolution,
which promised so we'll, came under
the control of LentHe and his as
sociates. They had to and applied
the doctrine that the capitalistic sys-
tenn of production was bascally
wrong; that the industrial leader
ship provided by the bourgeois.e was
unnecessary; that elected industrial
leaders could do better for the gen
cral happiness. In a word. they
ushcred in communism.
Immediately decline in wealth
production started which swept
on until the present abyss was
reached. Progressively fewer fac
tories were open, fewer railroad
trains were run, fewer acres were
titled. Russians had not at once be-
come slothful, but they lost oppor-
tunlty to work at all or to advantage
The Bolshevist system, throttlng in
divdual initiative and making all
uncertain whether they would enjoy
the fruits of their toll, wrecked! Z. s.
STA and reduced her to the extre emf
ties Of misery.
Now, it is futile and even silly to
talk Of Russia s regeneration as long
as the Bolshevist system exists.
While it is dominant normal trade
is impossible Agreements to pay
debts, even though sincerely signed,
are no better than blank paper. for
there Will he nothing wherewith to
pay. SO most OF the proposals of the
report to the Genoa conference, al
though well enough in themselves,
are valueless unless essential precc-
dent conditions are created As the
first step Russia must sbe de-Bol-
shevized.
But though this is acknowledged,
it is said that the job of de-Bolshe-
vization should be turned over to
the Bolshevists. 1t is assumed that
they are capable of turning about
and of adopting and applying new
principles. Does any one seriously
believe this? Can men completely
divorce themselves from their pastso
VIII the Bolshevist party allow Lee
nine to do this. even though person
ally so inclined? 1t is preposterous.
That the Genoa experts are aware
of this is suggested by the signif-
cant care they display in keeping
away from mention of the causes of
the Russian malady They appear
as concession chasers, ready to do
business with any regime, rather
than as friends Of the Russian peo-
pie. They are not ignorant that Boil
shevism is likely to continue to be
Bolshevistic. To perceive this and
to act on the perception is not to in
terfere III Russia's domestic affairs:
1t is merely to help give Russia
chance to determine her own destiny.
privilege she is now denied because
an armed minority has her bv the
throat.