Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1933-12-14
GREAT CHANGE
SEEN IN RUSSIA
Askov Speaker Tells of Rus
sian Conditions Before,
After Revolution.
LaudS Much Talked-of Five
Year Plan and Other
Achievements.

An audience of approximately $50
people greeted Bert Merling at the
ID. b. S. hall in Askov Saturday eve
ming, for his scheduled address on
Russia, before and after the Revolu-
tlon.' The speaker was given a flat
tering Introduction by H. R. Buck. and
1t might be stated at the outset that
he filled the bill
With but few preliminary formal
tiles Mr.. Merling proceeded to state
that he had been interested in Rus
sla since childhood, which came quite
natural as his native country. Swed-
en-, is next door neighbor to Russia.
In his childhood his father had told
MIN that to the east of Sweden there
was country of barbarians; later
ne learned the truth about Russia,
not through newspapers and history.
but through reliable writer's and re-
search. Russia before and after the
revolution, he termed as ga great ex-
pertinent in human nature in a great
! country"
J Mr.. Merling stated that Russia
comprises approximately one-half of
Europe and in the early history of
the country men and women were
slaves ruled and controlled by less
than one per cent of the people with
horrible and appalling tyranny The
first rulers were generally giants,
vikings, autocratic and despotic, with
no thought or regard for the welfare
of the common people. They ruled
supremely and informed their people
that the powers that be come from
God and if you rebel against the rul-
ers you rebel against God" He ex-
planned some of the lunacy and in
sanity exercised by some rulers; one
particular ruler killing his own son
as well as having others killed for
minor offenses. And this state of
affairs went on side by side with the
Holy Greek Orthodox Church never
lifting voice against it. The COM
mon people had nothing, and could
get nothing; everything was turned
over to their superiors who lived in
extreme luxury. If anyone prote sted
he was eXiled or shot or done away
with in some manner. Only the aris-
tocracy was given the benefit of any
education. If the rulers rad u ed
common sense and given their people
little freedom there probably never
would have been a revolution. But
they didn't, ana hence the civil war.
Government Helps People.
Now the government of Russia says
to it's people What can we do for
you?" Those who formerly were kept
llllterate are now being educated.
Those who formerly could own moth
ing now each have fifteen acres of
land and a home.
Women were formerly treated as
just so much property, had no civil
rights whatever, were literally bought
and sold. Now they are on a par
with the men, and hold positions such
as judges, generals, engineers, brake
men, etc.,
The marriage and divorce questions
have been greatly simpifed, either
one costing not over SIS. Divorces are
not given notorious publicity and
made scandals. There are no rich
people, the maximum salary being
SIP per month; everyone dresses
simply and sanely without any COM
petition in that line. Through CO.
operation they have learned to be one.
for all and all for one.
Russia was one of the most relig-
ious countries and still is. But the.
luxury and soft seats have been aboI-
ished. The congregation is in many
instances obliged to stand at the
services for hours at the time. To
the question why did Russia tear
stated: why spend millions on ar
tificial buildings when human beings
are in want and need"
The Five Year Plan.
The speaker stated that their five
year plan was 80 per cent perfect.
Everyone has small homes, and many
eat in community kitchens. r. ssia
is a nation of 100 million human
beings where new humanity is
where the dollar sign is
not the sign of success; where peo-
pie are learning that the greatest
thing in this world is cooperation,
where propaganda is at a minimum.
Mr.. Merling illustrated the cor
ruptness in some of the American
press, where headlines would be
for the reason that many
people read only the headlines. He
stated that through government and
through our vote we can secure what
we want. He paid high tribute to
President Franklin D. Roosevelt and
Governor Floyd B. Olson.
Eloquently Mr.. Merling stated how