NIKOLAI LENIN.

Otaki Mail, 8 February 1922, Page 4

NIKOLAI LENIN.

A CLOSE-UP IMPRESSION. Moscow, December 30. Parley P. Christensen, The candidate of (lie Farmer-Labour Party in the last- Presidential election in U.S.A., interviewed Nikolai Lenin at the Kremlin. Mr Christensen is the first American p£ public importance whom the so-called mystery man of the Kremlin has received for some time. Mr Christensen’s telephone invitation was characteristic of Russia: "Stay indoors as an important message is coining." At 8 o'clock another message stated: "Lenin wants to see you at the Kremlin at a quarter to nine.” - Mr Christensen’s story'of what took place is the best description possible. &POKE IN ENGLISH.

"1 took along an interpreter named Rinstein,” he said. "There were soldiers outside the Kremlin door. To tlTfein the interpreter spoke. Without formality we were passed along corridors until we came to an elevator. , It worked with the speed of those in ' the best hotels in Chicago. I do not know how many floors up we went, but atter we left the elevator we passed through art empty room which evidently in the daytime' was' a busy offfice. A door opened and plosed and a man came out whom I afterwards [ learned was the assistant, commissaire of trade. Then the door opened again, and Lenin himself came out, greeting pie in perfect; English. NOT LIKE PICTURES. "I was greatly disappointed with Lenin’s appearance, as compared with photographs of him Instead ol a saiurnme-iookmg individual, I found that he was light-oomplexioned, and 1 had a sandy-coloured slight beard, of I a Vandyke type, streaked with grey. I He is slightly stooped, like a student, | hut otherwise is virile and alert. His I countenance is like the play of the sun mingled with the clouds. In his serious moments they had the solemn benignness of the" philosopher. , But These were so frequently interrupted by humorous interpellations in the conversation that I had almost a constant view of a .smiling personage

whose whole face, from his eyes to the wrinkles on his mouth, radiated mirth. My interview lasted two hours, and I found his knowledge of American things amazing. He said he had heard of me and knew of my candidacy. He knew of Debs and Townley, and he even knew of Cox. His range of conversation was not the least of his abilities. He had none ot the fanatical preachments,—lt was my purpose to ask him questions, hut 1 found myself on the witness stand, whereupon there were poured upon me questions relating to the character of American North-Western seed wheat, and whether it would be suitable foi Russia. He also asked me questions on the famine- policy. PREDICTS WAR.

“At the end of two hours I said: ‘You are a busy man and I have taken up a Jot of your time, so I will break off." His answer was: ‘You have interested me greatly and there are many points on which I wish further information.’ I then made an appointment with him for another interview.”

Dispatches from Riga state that on reaching that city Mr Christensen elaborated his interview with Lenin, declaring that if the American farmer would trade with Russia that nation had furs enough in storage to put fur coals on the farmers’ wives. Lenin predicted an American-Japanese war, declaring war to be the “best capitalist enterprise,” and declaring the American Government to he “capitalistic." Further discussing trade between America and Russia, Lenin said: “It is your own fault* that we cannot trade champagne for your grain."