Evening star., 1944-01-17
|Lenin, Dead 70 Years,
lis Uncha|Ienged in
Minds Of Russians
BY HENRY C. CASSIDY,

BY HENRY C. CASSIDY,
Associated Press War Correspondent.
MOSCOW, Jan. 17.-Despite the
rapid evolution and far-reaching
changes of the Soviet Union, Lenin,
first leader of this state, stands un-
challenged in the minds of the Rus
sian people.
He Is still honored as the founder
Of the Soviet Union and Premier
Marshal Stain still prides himself
in the title Of "continuator" of
Lenin's work. The principles Of
the Soviet Union are still described
oficially as "Leninism- -Stalinism.
The 10th anniversary of Lenin's
death will be observed as a Lenin
memorial day Friday, with meetings,
lectures and articles devoted to his
career. Wartime emphasis is being
given to Lenin's creation Of the Red
Army and his attention to the prob
lens of national defense.
Tone Of Observance.
An advance indication of the tone
Of the observance was given by an
article in the illustrated 1914 Soviet
calendar, issued by the state pub
fishing house, describing the sig
nificance of the day.
1t recounts Lenin's death at Cork
January 81, 1924. after long illness,
and recalls the governments an
nouncement OF his death: 'Lenin
Is no longer with us, but his cause
remains mistaken"
These words" says the article,
expressed the thoughts and feel
ings OF the entire Soviet people"
The article recalls that 25O,OOO
new members were admitted to the
Communist party Immediately after
Lenin's death. Recently, there has
been another wartime increase in
the ranks of the party, bringing the
total membership to more than
100000
At the second Soviet Congress.
January 26, 1924, Stain on behalf
OF the entire people took the solemn
VOW to safeguard and strengthen
the cause of Lenin and fulfill all
his behests," the article continues.
Vow Becomes Program.
This VOW was the later program
OF the Soviet governments activi-
ties in the field of national defense
and in economic and cultural devel-
opment. One of the most important
OF Lenins behests was that the Red
Army should excel in every respect.
Under Stalin's leadership this was
done and the Soviet people built up
the mighty Red Army which today
is performing miracles of heroism
IN the fight against the German
Fascist invaders"
Lenin was buried in a red and
black marble mausoleum in Red
Square. More than 1,0OO, 900 persons
followed the coffin to the grave in
a funeral procession. The tomb
became mecca for millions of visi-
tors. 1t has been closed since the
battle OF Moscow, but is expected
to reopen soon.
The article concludes, "Lenin died
but his immortal cause is in the
hands of Stain, great helmsman
who Is steering the Soviet ship of
state to its goal just as firmly and
unsWervingly as did Lenin."
Career Reviewed.
Another article on the birth of
Lenin, who started life March %.
1870, as Vladimir Illyich Ulyanov in
the city of Simbirsk, now known as
Ulyanovsk, reviews his career. -.
From the very outset of the So
cialist revolution, Lenin placed in
the forefront the task of the eco
nomlc and cultural reorganization
and defense of the country" the
article says, emphasizing his mill
tary victories in the civil war, the
union of many peoples into the U. S.
S. R.. the creation of a powerful
industry and the development of
education, science and culture.
He put into practice Marks great
teachings on Socialism and devel-
oped the theory of Marxism still
further, raising it to a new, higher
level" the article added, concluding:
"Lenin's immortal cause is now
in the hands of his brilliant continu-
ator, in the hands of Stalin."
In the two decades since Lenin's
death, many new things have come
to the Soviet Union and some old
things have been restored. The
Comintern has disappeared and
Russia is cooperating with the
United Nations in the prosecution
of the war and in planning the
peace. The Goddess newspaper had
ceased publication and the Holy
Synod has been restored.
But the socialized industry and
coliectivized agriculture remain as
the basis of the state. This system
can best be described as Sovietism.
Whatever it is called, to the Rus
slams it remains Leninism.