RUSSIA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 September 1924, Page 5

RUSSIA.

TYRANNY OF LEADERS

STATE ALL POWERFUL

PEOPLE KEPT IN SUBJECTION

BY' CABLR—PRSBB ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, Sept. 8. The Daily Chronicle has commenced the publication of a series of despatches from a Russian special correspondent, who spent months mixing with all classes. He tells how a handful of determined men hold 140,000,(XX) in fear and subjection. He says Russia is the Tibet, ,of Europe. ..All Russians, are strangely sensitive; “We are civilised,” they keep saying. The worst period was in 1920-21, when a complete stoppage was threatened. There was no regular water supply and hardly any sanitation. The free ration of the State consisted of worm-eaten herrings and portions of bread doled' out. Things are much better now, though Moscow is still the most expensive place in the world for a foreigner. Hot baths cost 7s. The hotels are fairly clean and?comfortable, but they are; run very inefficiently, as the managers are Communists chosen for .party loyalty. Everybody- wants to live, in. Moscow and few remain in the provinces, except .from sheer necessity There were two and a half''millions in Moscow before the war and the population has now increased enormously. Tlie overcrowding is; appalling, and five or more people are frequently herded in a room. The shop windows are full of brightly coloured cartoons—religious things there are, revolting to a .religious man, but an ' artistic quality is not lacking in these blasphemous productions. " .The Statfe is all powerful everywhere. Moscow resembles London during the war. for ifll the hotels, and big blocks of, buildings are taken by Government ■ departments. It is a city, of bureaukcrats.