Evening star., 1945-12-30
Reviewed by
JOSEPH H. BAIRD.

IbCNiGWGu ny
JOSEPH H. BAIRD.
These three volumes on that most
discussed of nations. Soviet Russia.
approach the subject from as many
distinct viewpoints-that is, in the
order of their listing, the political,
the economic and the human.
None of the three. it may be said
at the outset, is a great" book on
Russia, but each, in its respective
field, makes some contribution to
an understanding of what Winston
Churchill has called "a riddle
wrapped in mystery inside an
enigma" OF the trio I re-
gard Prof. Laserson's volume as
far and away the most objective
and scholarly. Both DR.. Heymann
and Miss Winter write definitely
from a pro-Soviet viewpoint, and
give the distinct impression of hav-
ing something to sell" in the way
of ideas.
The chief value of Prof. Laser
sons book lies in its succinct and
understandable tracing Of the vast
changes that have taken place in
Russian law, social institutions and
political thinking since the days of
militant communism and the et-
feet of these on MoScow's present
and future relations. with foreign
powers. Having become convinced
that their early dreams of world
revolution were illusory, he holds
Soviet leaders now are seeking to
orient their country in world
system which, while allowing for
wide range of international CO.
operation still provides a guaran-
tee of Russian national safety-in
other words, a ''synthesis" of Will
sonianiSm and Clemenceauism.
Will Play Their Own Game.
Prof. Laserson, a Russian by
birth, who now is lecturing at Co.
lumbia University, reaches the con-
clusion that as a result of the late
war and its membership in the
United Nations Organization. Russia
has been drawn irrevocably into the
concert of world powers. But he
implies that within the world sys-
tenn the Soviets will insist on play
ing their own nationalistic role in
Eastern Europe.
DR.. Heymann former economic
adviser to the German Foreign Of
flee during the days of the Weimar
Republic, who has now become an
American citizen, traces the evolu-
ton of American business relations
with Russia since the revolution and
!, pleads for the extension of sub
Stantial credits to finance Soviet
purchases here now In his final
; chapter he suggests that Russia be
given a second option" on Ameri-
can surplus war plants He also
suggests Soviet-American five
year plan" for exports and credits.
girl being loved by rich mans son.
Advocates Trade Credits.
In a foreword to DR.. Heymanns S
book, Eric Johnston, president of the
United States Chamber of Com
merce, states his conviction that
I'VE can do business with Russia,
and Russia can do business with
U.S." Holding that Russia, lin the
foreseeable future" is not likely to
be serious rival of the United
States in the field of foreign trade,
he advocates substantial American
credits to finance Soviet industrial
reconstruction.
. Miss Winter, who visited Russia
in 1880 and 1881 to gather material
, for her best-seller, Red Virtue,
returned to that country in 1914 to
see the Soviet Union in wartime
and the present volume is based
l on notes gathered during her latest
: trip. She kept extensive records of
conversations, with women of the
Red Army, factory workers, bal
/ lerinas, actresses, secretaries, mes
sengers, cientists-women repre-
senting all strata of Soviet life. Her
narrative is stimulating, ranging
: from deep pathos to the ludicrous
In reading her accounts of nu-
merouS conversations with Soviet
A citizens, however, one has the con-
/ slant feeling that Miss Winter is q
/ very purposeful Mr.. Interlocutor.
n She poses American criticisms oi
e such Soviet institutions as the con.
= trolled press, the secret police anc
= the one-party system and reports
r the answers Of her Russian friends
Invariably they get the best of the
argument.