Evening star., 1936-11-28
Democracy a la Moscow.


Although the constitution which Stain
has bestowed upon the Russian people
by no means measures up to the Western
conception of democracy, it marks an
indisputable advance beyond anything
hitherto extant in the Soviet Union.
Long projected, but formally promul-
gated only this week, the concessions to
popular government have timely signifi-
canoe because they coincide with the
German-Japanese alliance to league the
world against the Communist Interna-
tional Proposed governmental changes
are designed somewhat to weaken the
contention that the Communist system is
menace to political freedom, but 1t
would be mistake to conclude that the
conceded liberties curb the dictatorship
in any effectual degree. The Soviet
system is perpetuated for all practical
purposes, despite the granting of certain
civil rights.
The conspicuous innovation is the
establishment of a two-chamber parlia-
mentary body, to be known as the Su-
preme Council of the U. s. S. r., or
supreme organ of political power. Mem
bers of one component house, to be
known as the Council of the Union, will
be elected by direct secret ballot of all
citizens over eighteen years Of age. Men,
bers of an upper chamber, the Council
of NationalitieS, will be chosen by the
supreme councils of the constituent
republics and autonomous provinces.
There will be no system of checks and
balances. The Supreme Council will
exercise both legislative and adminiStra-
tive authority and rule through the
peoples commiSSarS, who will be Sc
lected by and responsible to the Council.
The latter will also appoint the higher
courts and interpret the laws. Lower
courts will be elected by local popular
vote.
Russians under bill of rights will be
guaranteed the right to work and to
material security in old age, sickness
or incapacity Full equality is given to
women Religious freedom is decreed.
but without propaganda or religious
schools, while atheistic propaganda is
permitted There are guarantees Of
freedom of speech and press and OF
assemblies and street demonstrations.
Citizens are safeguarded against un-
warranted arrest and confirmed in the
holding of personal property. The state
owns all land and means of production
except trivial handicraft by individuals
who employ no labor. How relentleSsly
the existing regime means to preserve
it's power is reflected by the provision
that there shall be but one political
party-the Communist organization-on
the ground that Russia has no "artagon-
istic classes" justifying the traditional
party system.
Stain evidently intends the new char
ter to be a mere framework within which
the nation may gradually learn self
RONcI SOSldAloti( oSiAkoNAo o~y w
be attained only after exhaustive expert
ment. Far-reaching as concessions to
liberalism appear to be, the Soviet Union
in fact is destined to remain dictator
ship indefinitely. Much snow will fall
on the Kremlin before there will be
approximated that state of political
IL 81 fo1; hints xxyhav
he glorif1es his constitution as creation
of which millions have dreamed and
are dreaming in capitalist countries"
The Soviet Magma Charta is long step
forward for Russia. but it has far to 60
before it will typify democracy as po-
litical liberty Is understood and enjoyed
in Great Britain, France and the United
States.