THE MAN OF STEEL

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1928, Page 4

THE MAN OF STEEL

ili.v Dr Edmund Euboff, the leading authority on Russia, who knew Stalin in his early days.) Stalin, “the Man of Steel,” who is holding Russia m a grip of iron tod.i\, uas horn in the small Georgian village of Didi-Lolo. He comes of a lighting stock—which in the Caucasus means mountain brigands—and it is only by realising the character of these ancestors that some idea may he gained of the character of the dictator of Russia. His real name is -Joseph lJzhoogashvih. For generations the Dzhoogaslivilis, together with other brigand families, robbed and murdered people in the caravans form and to the East as they crossed the mountain passes. Stalin s lather was converted to the Orthodox taith and became respectable. Although the land he tilled was poor, he nevertheless managed to |iin easy circumstances and to pay for his children’s education. .Joseph we to a secondary school and eventually became an accountant in Tiflis, the capital of Georgia. Rumours in the neighbouring villages attributed the elder D/.hoogashvili’s wealth to troaohery—it was said that he had 1-etrayed his fellow-brigands to the police authorities. * * * * * * 01 such stock comes Stalin. He did not revert to the old-fashioned brigandage but joined the local Revolutionary Terrorist group attached to the Social Democratic Party. At that time he was a tall, lanky voutii, always wearing a red Russian blouse, tight trousers, and high hoots. His eyes were a piercing dark brown: a real Georgian prominent nose and determined chin were crowned with a mop of wavy hair. He was a daring 1 terrorist, always ready to “despatch” my unwanted official, employer of t iahour, or even one of his own com■ades suspected of treason to the >nrty. The theory of revolution and §o- B •ialism made Ho appeal to him; lie M- * rays wanted to organise tilings. f}e uri-ounded himself with his home vil- 1 ago lads and made daring raids on

banks and business offices, bringing to the treasury of the party many thousands of roubles. These feats made him known to Lenin, who, being in need of a strong man. first co-opted him into the Central Committee, which at that time held its meetings in Switzerland, and tlien appointed him one of three members of the so-called “ Executive Bureau ” in Russia. This appointment made Stalin, or Koba, as he was then known, the power ol the Bolshevik Party in Russia. In fact, until Lenin’s return to Russia after the March revolution Stalin was the only powerful Bolshevik in Russia.

After Lenin's arrival at Petrograd in the sealed carriages supplied by tin German Government Stalin and his bodyguard arrived from the Caucasus. Benin, having long ago regretted Stalin’s appointment to the bureau, dis regarded him entirely, lie bad found his subordinate too independent and

too “ rough.” But Stalin was not beaten ; O.v dint of threats he forced Lenin and Trotsky to give him some kind of position, and he became the general secretary of the party. Probably they thought that in this way they would keep Stalin contented and quiet. Apparently they were all mistaken, and just before his death Lenin wrote a testament, in which he urged his followers to got rid of Stalin.

But it was too late. By that time Stalin's “ organisation ” was firmly rooted. First of all Trotsky was removed ; then followed Kamenev and Zinoviev ; and to-day not one of the original Bolsheviks remains in power. For it should he noted that Chieherin and Litvinov are toleratd only on the understanding that they do not interfere in ” politics.” "While all the len<’ ers played at being statesmen Stalin captured the party and used it foi his own plans. The lanky youth to-day has filled out, lias become a little more mature, hut in every other respect he remains the

daring terrorist of L’O years ago. Time has taught him a great deal ; he has added to his daring a groat deal ol chicanery and “ diplomacy.” To get rid of Trotsky lie joined forces wit' Kamenev and Zinoviev, to remove Kamenev he recalled 'lrotsky, and t bring Zinoviev down ho entrapped him into a controversy and then used bis power to prevent an explanation which might have put Zinoviev ri--’ Having clipped the power of his ehiel adversaries, he forced them to become an Opposition and even to unite against him. and having succeeded in this lie* removed them altogether Irom his path by ” legal ” means. To-day he is all-powerful, not only because the* Army and the Cheka are at his command but because at the first sign of uiiti-Soeialisin he puts into motion the party machine, which declares every opponent of .Stalin an enemy of the party and of the Soviet Slate. As for his personal safety, <>l laic he has imported a whole regiment composed chiefly of ex-Caucasian brigands. And it may be added that Ihe Georgian brigands will light to ihe death of one of their comrades who has managed to conquer Russia.