The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-09-12

that I and 300 other working men and
women started on our journey to So
Wet Russia We made up the delega-
ton sent to Russia by the Swedish
newspapers, Folkets Daybiad Politiken
official organ of the Swedish section
Of the Communist International.
We left Stockholm, July 16 for ten
days trip to that land in which the
workers are the ruling class.
In spite of thousand and one OBJ
stacles and difficulties, mostly by the
Esthonian authorities who tried by all
means to prevent US from reaching
Russia thru their god forsaken land,
we passed the border in the early
morning of July Is.
Who can describe our feelings when
we looked out from the car windows
that morning with the mist and fog
hanging over the tree tops and saw
the red soldiers lining up each side of
our train. Presently the International
was played by the military band, the
soldiers saluting, standing under at
tention. A reception committee bid us
welcome in the name of free Russia.
The train continued to Kingiseppe
only few miles from the border
Kingiseppe town of about 5000 peo-
pie was formerly called hamburg and
renamed in honor of the Esthonian
Communist, Kingiseppe, murdered by
the Esthonian authorities for his work
in behalf of the exploited workers OF
that unhappy country.
Thousands of workers had waited
over hours to receive us. The sta
ton was beautifully decorated with
red flags and bunting and an immense
sign greeted us welcoming us in our
own language.
Tea and sandwiches were served in
the beautiful park and we were re
ceived with open arms and warm
greetings by everybody. We were
amazed! The people were all well
clothed and seemed to be otherwise
well taken care OF. Particularly were
we impressed with the youth and
children. Wide awake, eager, inter
ested.
The social-democrats in the delega
ton shook their heads: That's a
good show" they said, "bet you this
is the best they have for miles around
here!
But time was short. We had to bid
our new friends good bye and were
off for Leningrad.
The train was an ordinary passen
ger train The cars modern, clean and
comfortable. The road in first class
condition and we were making Ameri
can express train speed. About noon
we reached Leningrad. Leningrad
So long as workers value liberty shall
your name be glorifiedl Your workers
have contributed their full measure tt
the cause of freedom!
We are at the Baltic station.
Talk about crowdsi Tens of thous
ands of singing and cheering people
Such singing no one of us ever
heard before.
The Russian workers sing the In
ternational as tho they mean every
word OF It.
Those who thot that our reception
at Kingiseppe was arranged to foo
us realized that this was no show, nc
acting, no artificial affair.
Indeed, this was the real thing
Genuine, sincere and spontaneous!
We were quartered at old historic
Smolny. No building in the world has
witnessed such happenings as
Smolny Institute.
Here came the young princesses and
duchesses Of an old order to Learn
"the tricks Of the trade"-spend time
and money and exploit and deceive the
masses. Here come the priests and
monks and the nuns. Here came the
dukes and high officers to have a good
time-drink and be 6fsrry. But here
came also revolution! Smolny Insti
tute was the headquarters of Petro