The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-07-18
BY KARL RADEk
The Question Of the Russian and
Chinese Markets

THE only way left to international
i capitalism to solve the ques-
ton of markets, is the second way:
the capturing Of new markets at any
price What new markets are to be OBJ
tanned? If we consider such markets
as the Japanese or Indian, we per-
ceive that they are now developing
their own industries, which very jea-
lousy oppose the intrusion of foreign
goods. II. we consider such markets
as the countries of South America, we
have to realize that their powers of
absorption can only develop very
slowly, as these countries are relative
ly very thinly populated.
In order to develop these countries
by means of colonization, it would be
necessary to invest enormous amounts
of capital, which are likewise not
available. There remains only Russia
and China, which constitute a huge
market for international capital, not
only because our mujik, as well as
the Chinese peasant, requires every
thing from the linen goods to tractors
ETC., but also because the peasant po-
pulation in Russia and China can give
an equivalent in exchange. The whole
of Europe is suffering from the fact
that it has to purchase agricultural
products from America. But what can
it pay to America in return? 1t has to
pay with what America already pos
oaocoe Nth ;,,d,,rtr;oI x,rod,,ote Duc
STA, therefore, is not only important
for Europe as a market, but also as
source of raw materials and corn. God
does not always punish the Bolsheviki
with bad harvests! Agriculture is re-
covering more easily than industry,
as its chief forces for the time being
are still nature and human labor
power. This is the explanation why,
in spite of the misery and the back
wardness of our peasantry, we have
been able to raise our agriculture up
to 80 per cent Of the pre- war stand
ard. If there had been no bad har-
vests, then we should this year have
attained to the pre- war level of pro-
duction. The basis of the progress OF
our agriculture is not yet technics,
but the fact that the brain of the mu-
jik is becoming active, that the revoIu-
ton and the war have caused a pro
fond psychological change among the
peasantry.
ME do not always notice that in our
W every day work. Every foreigner
however who has seen Russia before
the war and who visits it today states.
that there has been created for the
first time in Russia a basis for a tech
nical advance in peasant economy, be-
cause the mujik is beginning to
think. He is no longer afraid of the
tractors and other wonders from over
the sea, but gladly accepts them. Rus
STA can increase its agricultural ex-
port. 1t thereby offers European cap
ital huge and growing market.
If we now consider China, this coun-
try which, as regards its coal and iron
resources, occupies the third place in
the world and is thiclxly populated, it
suffices to indicate the possibilities of
development if one says that China
is already today carrying on a foreign
trade equal in value to three milliard
gold roubles, although capital has
only penetrated into the narrow coast
districts.
CHINA is looked upon even today as
- a medieval feudal power This view
however, is absolutely false. Manchu-
ria alone which during the Russo-Jap-
anese war from the standpoint Of com.
merce, was of no Importance. is now
exporting 100 million puds of various
kinds of grain yearly fifth of the