Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-07-29
Sabotaged
By Fear
BY Correspondent Lately
In Russia.
(F'rom Christ an Science Monitor

Soviet Russia has never presented
greater contrasts than it does this
summer. On the surface, visitors see a
great nation in the process. of mod
ernization: busy population of $780,,
100000 working with apparent dis
cipline and enthusiasm in vast new
industries.
But the discerning visitor. need not
penetrate far beneath the surface to
discover a social atmosphere reminis-
cent of the Middle Ages. Residents Of
long standing say they cannot recall
time of SO much fear and suspicion.
The masses" have better food and
clothing than they had a few years
ago: better distribution makes the
routine of living easier for them. But
even ordinary workers are disturbed
by the terrible spy mania" the daily
warnings of the controlled press that
"enemies'' in various guises have con-
cealed, themselves in every Soviet or
ganization. Citizens are encouraged,
even ordered to deliver up enemies"
to the political police. Hardly day
passes without the disclosure of more
arrests of men and women occupying
high positions in the Soviet hierarchy.
Since the widely advertised second
conspiracy trial last January, a con-
tinuous and accelerating purge" has
been in progress. There seems to be
no end to it, since Bolshevik leaders
necessarily demand the disclosure of
more enemies" The press has re-
ported the recent executions of 121
railway officials in the Far East and
in the Caucasus, and of Marshal M.
N. Tukachevsky and seven major gen
erals in the Red Army. Not so well
known are the fates of other prOmi-
nent figures. Within a year, the for
mer head of trade unions, the politi-
cal director of the Red Army and the
chairman of the White Russian gov
eminent have committed suicide when
faced with arrest. The prisons are
full of well-known men and women,
including a former premier, the for
mer chief of political police, the for
mer editor of the government news
paper, and hundreds who recently
held high offices in every. part of the
country.
No one knows what happens to
AAlOOL VI LIIOSC pcODIO, OIlOCl COVlCt
law they may be "adminis;ratively ex-
lied" or held in prison indefinitely
awaiting trial. Political police come
in then light and take away accused
persons, refusing to tell their families,
where they are confined or what they
are suspected of. The atmosphere is
so tense lat any ip,.@so'lss absence
from his office TO, i few days starts
rumors flying Acuuaintances of those
arrested Immediately denounce them
publicly, in ar effort IS assure their
own immunity.
Bolshevik leaders m speeches and
articles, warn So>it organizations
that the incur susric Ioa il they fail
to produce their sha,e of enemies. .
The air is filled with mutual denun-
Citations an denominations. Those al
ready are A or denOuncna include
prominent 0amheIs of the ruling
Communist Party, the Young Com
munist League, the Academy of
Sciences, university faculties, indus
trial agricultural and trading e.Or-
.eanizations members of all central
regional and district governments
and unions of writer's, artists and
musicians Unsa s.ie;G the official
press renews . most daily it's demand
for exposure Oh additional "spies and
wreckers," urges every citizen to re-
port suspicious acts or conversations
of anyone, no matter how highly plac-
ed.
The frequent breakdowns in Soviet
factories and industries-not surpris-
ing in country newly industrialized
bring cries of ''wrecking'' and a
demand for victims. Arrests follow a
poor harvest lin any district. Even
typographical errors in newspapers