RUSSIA’S CHAOS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1921, Page 1

RUSSIA’S CHAOS

SOVIET AND CHILDREN

“THEY ARE DEPRESSED, PIIYSI- ” CALLY AND MORALLY.”

PARENT’S TRAGIC APPEAL

News from Petrograd trickles through continually, in spite of Bolshevik barriers, writes the correspondent, of a London paper. I have now received from a reliable source information as to the fate of the children under the Soviet regime. I should like to translate textualjy a poignant message which has reached me. It is in the form of an 5.0.5., the writer not knowing whom his words would reach and when. He says’;—

“I am especially depressed by the fate of my children. They have not had shlfieiont food for many months. Their education has ceased. And then, most awful of all, the moral level of our lift''’ltlis descended so very low. The children are depressed, physically and morally. What can 1 do to tear them out of this cesspool, to return them to the light and to pure air k lam writing this not to provoke your pity, but that you should know our sufferings. Life is coming impossible.” TRUTH WILL OUT. This tragic appeal of a distracted parent clashes somehow with the l tooia described to us by sundry foreigners who have had a hasty glimpse of Sovi H Russia under the vigilant supervision of their Bolshevik friends. The Bolshc viks are past masters at creating the mirage of success, but some day the truth will out. So, for example, it only now Lliat we have obtained detail, of the visit to Russia of Erossard and Cochin, the twit French prnta.xom s of Leninism. These two gentlemen, it ; p pears, not knowing a single word •>! Hit language, were completely at the m' of their unscrupulous ciceroni. ! instory is told of whole works, long closed down, being again retarded for their benefit by agents of the Extrao.'dinar' Commission. These gentlemen we,very anxious to become acquainted with the Bolshevik system for the Welfare o! children. Their desire was sitisfi'd. They were shown a children’s' hone*, spick and span, full of children looking verv sleek and happy. DECEIVING THE VISITORS.

When the Frenchmen arrived the liltfi ones were just silting down to a plentiful lunch. Erossard and Cacliin na turally were unable to discover that t l was hut a' show arranged specially for them. The liappy-lookiiig children wer the progeny of various commissars aim other high functionaries brought together for the occasion. Ihe siipiem, effect of the day was obtained when one of the little hoys, addressing himself t. the foreign guests in very decent French remarked: “It is a disgrace that toe French Socialists have not yet joined the Third Intel national.” Such a statement from one so youthful struck the Frenchmen with the greatest respect* for a system which makes even of young children ardent Communists. Here, again, it was not explained that the youthful prodigy was the little son of the Red dictator of I’etrograd, Zino vioff. His governess had carefully rehearsed him with the words which were to be said to Cochin and Erossard. There may he solitary instances where energetic’men and women have bfeon able "to maintain a high standard ol education and discipline in a school. These' are exceptions, But as a whole the entire educational system, as eveiv 'thing else that the Bolsheviks touch, is in a state of complete dissolution. Science is in abeyance, morals are very low, and famine is as terrible a reality for the great.mass of the children as Foi their parents and teachers.