The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-21
SOVIET NOT
PLANNING
WARS
Explains His World Policies
In Reply to Series of
Questions.

MOSCOW, April 21.-Leon Trot-
sky, comrnissar Of war in the
Soviet government, in a special
interview with International News
Service today, denied that the
Red army is being modified upon
q war basis. Trotzky pins his
hope for the future of Europe
upon a Omitted States of Eu-
rope" carried out by the work
ing classes.
Replies % Questions.
The Red army chief who has
just returned from southern Rus
STA where ne recuperated his fail
ing health, looks hale and hearty.
The correspondent submitted the
following questions to him:
l, What is the basis Of the per.
sistent runaor in Europe about
mobilization of the Red army?
2. What extent of truth Is there
An statements in the British press
that your speech at Tiflis may be
construed as an attack against
England?
8. In view OF the growing aggres-
siveness in the policy Of France
and Japan against Russia (which
may result in a new international
conflicO do you consider that the
interests Of the Russian and Amerl-
can peoples are identical in pre-
venting q world catastrophe?
4. What is your opinion of the
claims Of the British bankers?
5. What was meant by your
BAku statement that war is not
outside the range of possibilities?
6. Do you. think that radical re-
vision Of the Versailles treaty would
create a basis for the pacification
Of Europe?
Trotzky replied:
Are DemObiIizing.
LAS to your first question. 1t Is
utter nonsense. Indeed we are now
demobilizing those born in 1901 and
are recruiting youths born in 1902.
But simultaneously we are turning
part Of the regular army divisions
into militia. This may be the basis
Of the mobilization 'rumor
las to your second question, you
ask whether the British justly
viewed my Tiflis speech as an at.
tack against England or more
exactly as an attack against Premier
Ramsay Macdonald. / am not
exactly sure how you interpret at
tack Premier Macdonald fire.
Quently attacked the Soviet system
and the tactics of the communist
party.
1T is we'll known that MacDon-
AIDS party british Labor partly
3iercely attacked us for our policy
In Georgia. 1 am sorry Macdonald
cannot visit Georgia to learn the
mood of the Georgian workers and
peasants.
II doubt whether the mood of the
Indian and Egyptian peasants can
compare with that Of the Georgians.
Violate Formal Democracy.
Macdonald frequently accused
us Of violating the methods of
formal democracy True, we place
above formal democracy but we had
the right. I hope that Macdonald
and his party place democracy
above all.
IAN this I pointed out in my
speeches at Tiflis and Baku. Does
that mean an unfriendly attitude
toward England? Does MacDon-
AIDS criticism Of the Soviet system
ahd the communist policy signify
an unfriendly attitude toward our
country?
But | cannot see why our dis
agreements regarding the Soviet
system with A revolutionary dicta-
torship ana the English monarchy
with the church must interfere
with our efforts to establish broad
economic ties equally useful to both
sides.
Taking your third question. the
policy Of Japan and that Of France
are really agsl essive, but we. see
no greater friendIiness on the part
of thes United States. 1t is scarcely
possible there would be a sever
ance OF relations between two
peoples each numbering over
100000, 900. Responsibility for such
q severance would rest wholly with
the United States.
FavOFs Arms Limitation.
Naturally, we are still willing
to participate in any Internal fiona
agreement aimed at real limitation
of armies to diminish the danger of
q new war.
Regarding your fourth question,
my opinion of English bankers is
very bad.
Fifth, my statement at Baku
that war involving Russia is gen
orally possible must be understood
In the sense that Russias amiability
and her readiness for economic co.
operation, notwithstanding the aE.
gressive and imperialistic grab an