SOVIET RUSSIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1924, Page 2

SOVIET RUSSIA.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA. A CORRESPONDENT'S YIKWS. LONDON, Sept. S. The “Daily Chronicle” has commenced a series of despatches from a Russian special correspondent, who has spent months in mixing with all classes in Russia, lie tells how a handful of determined men held ITU millions of people in fear and subjection. lie says: "Russia is the Tiliet of Europe. All Russians are strangely sensitive.” "We are not civilised,’ they keep saving. 'Phe worst period was in 1020-21, when a complete stoppage was threatened. There was no regular water supplv, and hardly any sanitation. The tree ration of the State consisted of worm eaten herrings and portions of bread doled out to last one month. Things are much better now, though Moscow still is the most expensive place in the world for a foreigner. Hot baths there cost 7s. The hotels are fairly clean and comfortable, hut they are run very inelficiently, as the managers are Communists, who are chosen for their- party loyalty. Everybody wants to live in Aloseow. Few remain in the provinces, except from, sheer necessity. 1 here were two and a half millions ill .Moscow before the war. The population of the city has since increased enormously. The overcrowding is appalling. Five or more people are frequently herded in one room. The shop window's are full ‘of brightly-coloured caricatures of religious things. They are revolting to the religious man. hut artistic quality is not lacking in these blasphemous productions. The State is allpowerful everywhere. Aloseow* resembles London as ii was during tho war. All the hotels and big blocks of buildings are taken by Government Departments. It is a city ol bureaucrats.