Evening star., 1935-01-13

this infuriating, but astonish-
ing, country, one should have
definite convictions and opinions. But, in keep
ing with the experience of most. other for
egners, my convictions suffer such Violent
and such frequent changes that I hardly
know myself from day to day what my con-
victions are.
Each morning I swear anew that the rule
of the Soviets is the cruelest, most brutal and
most colossal racket ever rammed at pistol
point down the throats Of helpless nation.
But before night will have seen some isolated
feature Of Bolshevism that is so enlightened,
so advanced and SO inspiring, that for the
moment forgive and forget the tyranny that
has produced it,
The Soviet system Of prosecuting and i'm
prisoning the mother, sister, children of any
Russian citizen who tries to escape from this
gangland's grip, seems to me as inhuman and
barbaric custom as ever existed in the most
savage ages Of history. But just when I am
exploding with indignation because of 1t, 7
visit one of the model prisonS-and Immediately
feel that it is we Americans, with our dismal
and degrading prison system, who are the
savages.
The rlthlessness and mercilessness with
which the Bolsheviks 60 about exterminating
al classes Of Russian society except the third
ass-themselves- my sense Of Jus
tice and sends me of on the warpath in de-
fense Of human liberties. But again, my hos
tiltty against this crucif1xion OF the civilized
minority cools when enter one Of the special
Soviet schools and see the protection and
sympathy and spiritual stimulation being
poured out to the young people who before the
revolution would have benin some cases,
actually were-beggars, thieves or illiterate and
bestial peasants.
I've Just come from two days spent in such
schools and prisons. Let me tell about them
quickly before hear the crack Of the racket
GERS whip lashing out again from the Krem-
Inns towers and before put my fist through
every complimentary word I've written about
the Bolsheviks.
[ lERE in Moscow is a school that is unique
! In the world-a state school for boys and
girls who want to run away and join the cir
cusl
In America such an impulse In young people
IS merely tolerated by parents until It can
be shaken out of them. In Soviet Russia
the circus urge is considered highly COM
mendable and Is encouraged by financial sup
port given in order that the child may realize
his dreams Of becoming a clown, an acrobat or
the man on the flying trapeze. His circus
education, lasting three years. Is paid for by
the state, and when he at last has his degree
In clowning, tumbling or Juggling. he Is as
sured job with the Soviet troupes where the
demand for new artists" Is always greater
than the supply.
I had supposed that only in heaven could
such q lovely and romantic institution ever
become . reality and I find It In the middle
-ef this capital Of despotism.
The circus school Is advertised far and
'Wide-from Vladivostok to Samarkland The
advertisement reads: "Soviet boysl Soviet
girlsl Do you want to Join the circus as an
artist? Are you over II and under 18? Come
to Us and learn clowning, Juggling, tight-rope
walking, acrobatics, horsemanship. We send
you q ticket and pay for everything. The Soviet
State Circus needs youl"
What boy-or for that matter what girl
could resist such q truly wonderful, magical
invitation? Thousands Of applications pour
In. At present the school directors can choose
only q small fraction of those who plead to
be admitted, accepting, preferably, the orphans
and the homeless. A strict entrance examina-
ton Is given. They must be physically flaw
less. If girl applicant can already stand on
her hands, or boy juggle three lemons, their
chances of being accepted are greatly in
creased.
The freshman class numbers 40-the 40 most
fortunate children In the whole world, II we
are to accept the opinion Of the others who
must Just look on from the outside and yearn
All freshmen must take the same Course
acrobatic dancing, tumbnng, bareback and
bicycle riding, gymnastics. ught-rope walking,
6ytng trapeze. They also have three hours
each day Of academic study. OF course, no
geography Is taught lest the children become
10 tnquisitve about the foreign world; and no