The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-09-04
Same Rule

Soviet Russia likewise rules with
rod of iron in the hands of few.
Soviet Russia is not a dictatorship
of the masses but dictatorship in
the name of the masses-a very
different thing.
Troops and secret police still
swarm everywhere and death or
Siberia continues to yawn for those
who kick over the traces.
And while Soviet Russia holds
it a sin for other, or capitalst
countries to wage wars, either civil
or foreign, to preserve their forms
of government, she openly pro-
claims her readiness to shed all the
blood necessary to preserve her
own.
Here in Moscow and wherever else
you go In Russia you are never out
of sight of soldiers. They are every
where. IF you ask a Communist
why, he replies that it is necessary
for Russia to have a large army in
readiness to fight because of her
enemies.
YES" you reply, but that is ex-
actly what every other country says
in explanation of their big military
establishments"
We Are Right
but we are right" is the Russian
answer.
Recently a representa- tive of an
American civil and religious liberties
society arrived here. He was warmly
received until he began to inquire
into the cases Of Russians impris-
oned or exled for political beliefs.
Then there was a sudden chill.
That's different they said as If
that settled it.
1--WE don't think So" said the
American. I'VE believe in liberty of
opinion the world over-in Russia as
well as in America or elsewhere. We
don't believe in falling anybody any
where for his beliefs.
But our prisoners ought to be in
prison" the Russians answered.
That's what the Czarists said
about you"
They Were Wrong
"They were wrong and we were
right" was the answer. 80 they
had no right to send us to Siberia
or put us in prison.
Which proves that the present
regime in Russia is neither worse
nor better in this regard than any
other regime. Those in power are
always right and those who disagree
with them are always wrong the
world over, here as we'll as else
where.
| began by saying Soviet Russia
and Czarist Russia are alike save in
one important respect. Czarist Rus.
STA kept the country under a pail of
ignorance. Soviet Russia fairly
seethes with educational activities.
The masses are learning to read
and write and think.
Museums Created
Museums have been created all
over the land, and swarms of peo-
ple-Russian peasants, Workers and
Cnlluren-dFe passing through Inem
under the guidance of lecturers.
Thus are they learning Russian his
tory--perhaps with a communist
twist, but, then they are learning
not to be just cattle, if nothing else.
Schools and cultural societies are
busy as bees, and l was told that
whereas FIVE years ago the country
was 40 per cent illiterate. today 1t is
only Is per cent Even the old folks
are learning to read.
No matter what the future holds
for Russia, she can never go back to
where she was. A handful of men
in Moscow may be dictators, but To-
cal soviets, or councils, all over the
land are offering the hitherto ox-like
population at least a rudimentary
education in self-government, which,
whatever happens, will stand them
in good stead.
So, whatever you may think IF the
present regime here, this represents
a stupendous and permanent gain