Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-05
Shaw Laughs at Russians,
Say American Observers

Words of announcement from George
Bernard Shaw to his Russian hosts
are accepted by some Of his admirers
IN this country as typical examples
OF Shavian hunor rather than as an
expression Of sympathy for Commu-
nistic philosophy.
Mr.. Shaw must have known he was
talking hokum." says the Philadelphia
evening Bulletin, pointing out that
ne was allowed to see just as much
as the government thought was good
for him." and that "some of our own
visitors to Russia have had the same
hand-picked visions opened up before
them" Referring to the entire party.
which included Lady Astor, the Seattle
Times remarks: "They no more see
Russia than being entertained In q
London drawing room is seeing the
Sums OF that city. They see what the
Soyiets want them to see, and return
wiser for the trip from observation
oL the gentle art OF dissembling In
which the Soviets are past masters"
The Cincinnati Times-Star, however.
feels sure that ''the raw reality Of die
tatorShip which was built on terror,
and still knows how to use It, thrust
itself above the placid surface of re-
ceptions and other social entertain
mentS."
Theoretically. Britain Is under q
socialist government now; actually, she
IS as Tar from IL Is France or America, /"
declares the Cleveland News, adding:
The chief inconsistency Of ShaWs
visit lies in his statement concerning
his yeoman service In behalf OF Russia.
He had been telling the truth about
the Soviet form Of government, he
said, for nigh unto 10 years, and then
was delighted to find that the truth
ne had been telling was true!" The
Hamilton Evening Journal concludes,
Evidently Shaw was spoofing the fol-
lowers OF Sovietism. for he is a prince
OF 1ndtvtdualists, while Sovietism has
no place Tor the individualist."
Statements by Shaw, such as Moth
ing like making a good clean sweep of
your opponents" and Rifles are an
argument to which there is no answer"
are quoted by the Buffalo Evening
News, with the comment: There is
some real instruction in Shaw,s hlin1or.
N Is worth remembering moreover,
that he did not talk in this way in
the old days when he was trying to
win converts. His sarcasm now Is re-
fiecting what he has seen" The Chat
tanooga Times feels that "it Is not
always possible TO tell just how much
In earnest he happens to be-" recalling
that. mot 50 many months ago this
same George Bernard Shaw was
equally .prefuse In his praise Of Mus
solini and the Fascist accomplish
ments." ....,,
Ultimately" says the Columbia
State. the Shavian philosophy could
n. not forego : e touch ,;, Of the real Shaw;
in America, England or France they
would have looted everything. Such
churches and art treasures would not
have been left untouched, as they have
been here And here, looking up in
silent wonder at the stars, we leave
them TO Russia, snitten dumb by their
blazing passage across her skies"
I'm his praise of the Bolshevik
revolutions achievements" states the
Springfield tMass.) Republican, SHAW
was careful not to approve its most
vital Quality--the use OF force. He
could not indorse the Bolshevik creed
with the least consistency because It
sanctions violence, bloodshed. brutality,
appropriation, cruelty, terror IS legiti-
mate means Of revolutionary success.
In his last book expCumdtng his social
philosophy, shaw included q powerful
chapter condemning the violent and
terroristic methods Of the Reds"
a pfiluant autnOr anu witty speaker,
according to the Roanoke Times, SHAW
has never qualified IS an authority In
matters of government. After
all, he is shaw, and that explains a
good deal" The Oklahoma City Times
Is convinced that there is an inherent
individualism in the Western World
that frowns on communistic system.
The Charleston Is. CD News and
Courier lAmenta the 1ant that free
men OF the world pet RusSlAn slavery"
and pictures The contrast: "HAA Eng
land had ne government Of SNyiet
Russia in tie winter Of 1e1A-15, sd |
Henry AsQliith been Nicoiai LeniEmw9n |
Shaw wrote and published his series - |
articles crikical OF the war, he woul
not have been IN Moscow to address
HIS 'ecEnradee lie would have besn