New-York tribune., 1922-02-17

by frank n. Vandcrllp
Russia was one Of tho few countrfc.
in Europe did not visit. Indeed, it i;
Just twenty years since I have been ir
tnat country. A recent visit by a
gentleman bearing my name has led
to the impression in the minds Of 6
great many people that was in Rus
sia recently cndeavoring to obtain con-
cessions and establish economic reia-
tions. There is no foundation what
ever for that belief, nor for connecting
the endeavors Of the gentleman to
whom refer with any plans OF my own
Nevertheless, have had considerable
experience with Russian affairs. While
was president Of the National City
Bank there were important branches Of
that bank established in Petrograd and
Moscow. I was an interested observer
Of the way in which the Bolshevik gov
ernment took over those institutions.
But until my recent trip have never
had an opportunity to talk with repre-
sentatives Of the Russian Soviet gov
ernment. From then, l was able to add
to my information regarding the official
Soviet attitude. discussed Russia
with perhaps half the foreign ministers
Of Europe. Some of the great German
industrialists gave me more detailed
impression of present conditions. They
believed that by uniting American
credit with German industrial capacity
it would be possible to begin trading
with Russia on large scale.
Let me begin by stating that the So
Wet government is more firmly seated
than we have generally imagined In
America. This is not so much due 70
ment as it is to the extreme weakness
of the forces that oppose it. Well in
formed people believe that there is no
political group iii Russia which would
prove equal to administering a new
government if the Soviet government
were to collapse. 1t is safe to predict
that its fall would lead to long period
of ana rchy.
"Russia Launched Communism
A Few Centuries Too Soon"
There has been profound change in
the economic aims of the Russian gov
ernment. AS one Of their representa-
tives remarked, "We have rot aban-
doned the theory Of communism, but
we have come to the conclusion that
we tried to inaugurate communistic
society a few centuries too soon"
In practice at least the principles Of
are undoubtedly being
abandoned
In Russia at the present time there
Is a considerable amount Of freedom
Of trade. Stores are being opened ard
it has become legally possible to buy
and sell. Even agricultural lands can
be openly sold. Houses and city build
ings may now be purchased, although
the land under them still remains the
property of the government. Men are
ants have been given assurance that
their produce will not be contiscated in
the future. The government has put
banks into operation again and is, in a
sense, performing a capitalistic role,
Nearly everything heard on the sub
ject indicated that Bolshevism, as it
has been represented by many observ-
ers and by the press in the past is not
now as black as it has been painted.
On the other hand, the alterations that
have occurred in Soviet aims and prac-
tise cannot be taken as indicative of
complete change Of heart.
Communistic propaganda is still being
carried on In many countries with Rus
sian aid. Specific denals that this aid
Is from government sources may be
technically true, but it cannot be doubt
ed that the activities of propagandists
OF Rolshevism are undertaken with
government connivance, at least. was
~
forty newspapers in Italy controlled
and directed from Russian Bolshcvik
sources. ! believe there is still great
deal of Bolshevik propaganda going on.
In Constantinople I had extremely
interesting conversations with the Near
Eastern representative of the Bolshe-
vik government. He bears a degree of
Doctor of Laws from Moscow Univer-
sity and is Doctor of Philosophy as
the result of his training in q German
university.
krassin Intelligent
And Trained Industrialist
In London had similar opportu-
nifty to exchange views with M. Kras-
sin, the Soviet commercial representa-
tive to England. He is also highly
man and an experienced in
dustrialst under the old regime. /
doubt If he was ever converted to
Communism, although he certainly said
nothing that could be quoted as re-
motely admitting that.
Not even among representatives of
the Soviet government did I find any
optimism in regard to an early return
10 economic prosperity in Russia. My
own conclusion is that there is moth
ng in the present situation which
promises an early restoration of Rus
sia to q state which will compare with
is former Importance in international
This has q significant bearing upon
he whole European problem Taken
oy itself the economic collapse of Rus
sia would have created q crisis in
European affairs had there been moth
ng else to contribute to it. Russia was
both a great granary from which food
supplies could be drawn and customer
II great Importance for manufactured |
goods.
Even the most optimistic cannot fore
zee the time when Russia will again
become a large surplus producer Of |
'ood nor an important customer for |
european manufacturers Her need |
FOR manufactured goods Is extreme. |
The wears OF deprjyatiOn have nroduce1 |