Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-09
RUSSIA POLICY
Marked by Executions
and Work
Killing and Building Is Daily Routine
Spectators Flourish But Pay
Heavy Fines

Riga, Sept. 27.-The cracking Of
the rifles Of squads Of executioners
continues throughout Russia. and
may be heard simultaneously with
the tattoo Of workmen's hammers
engaged in the actual repair and re-
construction of buildings throughout
the land.
That reconstruction has begun and
Is slowly continuing without impor-
tant assistance from foreign coun-
tries, and that the Soviet has not
changed its unrelenting and ruthless
policy toward its political foes, are
two outstanding phases of the Rus
sion situation evident to the CORES
pondent of The Associated Press who
has come to Riga after an eight
months stay in Russia.
Hardly days passes but some
where in the country the death SEN
tence for political offenses is made
effective, but at the same time no
day dawns without the beginning of
some new task, the purpose Of which
Is to put in order buildings and
streets that We're wrecked during the
revolution. Prisoners doomed to die
look from their windows out on
busting street scenes and smiling
in the pleasure of building new for
| tunes as trade opens up.
There have been no changes in the
fundamental policies OF the Soviet
government, but its tactics now seem
tc be striklngly summed up in the
phrase of foreign observer at Mos
COW: Assist or wink at anything
which ultimately helps us in the re
construction of Russia; relentlessly
crush anyone who dares to raise his
hand against US politically
Spectators flourish, but the gov
errment is busy devising means to
get their money away from them.
These mon pay heavy taxes; dine at
stupcndous prices in a&burdened
restaurants, and play baccarat for
high stakes Al night in the casinoes
from which the government takes the
lions share of the profits. To the
spectators the government is like
the Gods of Olympus, permitting
its children to play at business, but
threatening them with a thunderbolt
il they dare to take part in the
political game.
The government makes no secret of
its dictatorship. and the people are
becoming accustomed to this and are
even happy in their daily lives under
IL.
ship the existence of the ma asses in
Russia is beginning to run smoothly.
While the correspondent was in Mos
COW he was assured by government
leaders that no political freedom
would be granted Russia. But this
seems not to worry the people, and
tired of war and strife, they now see
ample food before them coupled with
the possibilities Of personal advance
ment.
Throughout Soviet Russia there IS
not today. nor has there been for
months, a single important uprising.
| The Communist control is tighter
end more complete than ever. The
Committee of Investigation is out
wedding, trying, and convicting va
rious minor officials who accepted
brides, and is thus endeavoring to
build up bureaucratic machine
which will operate strictly in accord
ance with orders from the Central
Government.
The old Cheka has been abolished,
and in its stead there has come up
the organization known as the Po-
! litical Police. The latter does not
interfere in mems private lives, but
In politics they are as omnipotent as
ever. At one time the political po-
lice could shoot people first and try
them afterward. Today the method
is to have court trial first and then
carry out the execution, or to send
suspects into exile without trial.
To foreigners in Russia the leaders
make no effort to conceal their poll
cy. They are not ashamed. They
have confidence in the policy Of do
ing wrong that good ultimately may
come. and they apparently are sue
ceeding, slowly and painfully. in re-
constructing Russia. but along their
own lines, and without any impor-
tant sacrifice of principle.
The evidence Of reconstruction in
the land is more superficial than
really deep-seated. Streets are being
repaved, buildings reconstructed, and
railroad passenger traffic is becom-
ing normal. Industrial plants, how
ever, If in no worse condition than a
year ago. certainly are in no better
shape. These plants need foreign
ca pital. but lacking this on terms to
which the Communists can consent,
the government is ready to wait until
it has a surplus Of exports from
agriculture. This it hopes for in 1923,
and then and thereafter it sees money
with which it will be able to estab-.
lish industries itself.
In the meantime. with evidence at
hand of enough food to feed practi-
cally the entire population; with a
fuel supply exceeding that of last
year, and with textile works produc-
ing considerable amount of cloth
ing, the government expects the pop
uiatlOn to be fed, and warmed and