TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,—When the responsible heads of the most powerful European countries deliberate with the Bolshevists, and wish to reorganize the political economy of Europe with their aid, when Tchitcherin declares that he will, at the coming Conference at Genoa, not only discuss European credit which Russia so badly needs, but, in so doing, assist Europe altogether, when we, at the same time, read the information regarding conditions in Moscow in the English papers, we begin to doubt, even the simplest sign of common sense in these leaders.

The foreign correspondents who have not trusted to the information about life under the Soviet rule in Russia as described in the Russian “White Press” are now obliged to give the most terrifying news. For instance, how the ex-convict Dzerjensky, chief executioner of the “Chekha,” is about to lose his position, owing to the proposed abolition of the said “Chekha,” and it is acknowledged that he has shot some thousands of the enemies of the Soviet. But your readers will be particularly interested in the following report of M. Paul Scheffer from Moscow. One cannot read it without feelings of the deepest horror:—

“Soviet Russia professes to want to help Europe. But what now is Russia herself? Merely a devastated plain with burnt-out villages laid waste in every direction. One might compare the country to a lemon from which all the juice has been squeezed out.”

There is scarcely a vestige of her economic life visible. The issue of a paper currency, in Russia in the pre-Revolution period equalled two milliard roubles of gold: now it is composed of 10 trillions of roubles. Russia has had, till quite lately, a population of 150 millions, and, having only a certain quantity of ready money, each rouble must be divided into a nearly infinitesimal quantity. Is it possible that Mr. Lloyd George and other statesmen have not considered this fact? How can they trust people who use ridiculous tricks of this kind?

They declared, not very long ago, that everybody was free to leave the country as soon as they liked provided they paid for their tickets for the journey in solid gold and gave 25 “pounds” of flour. When even a quarter of a pound of flour is most difficult to get for anyone who does not belong to the Bolshevist gang, what does this mean? Another trick! everybody knows how precious it is to get a letter from those we love; the Bolshevists have now announced that a stamp worth from 1,000 to 2,000 roubles must be put on every letter. I have seen this morning a registered letter covered with 15 stamps, representing their 15,000 roubles! Can anything be more absurd than to call this “free correspondence”?

This same Soviet Government has reduced Russia’s economic life to a state of affairs which threatens final ruin. When we hear people calling for credit in such circumstances, we feel they cannot possibly realize what is really meant. I learn that the Russian Soviet bank collects 12 per cent each month for its loans. What trade is possible when the merchant must pay 144 per cent.?

1. Scheffer, in another passage, says: “Agriculture without grain and without agricultural machinery, even without counting other unfavourable causes, is impossible.” A terrible financial and food crisis is expected next summer. It is now known that the famine has not only covered the regions of the Volga, but also Ukrainia and the Crimea. Krassin himself has said: “Economically we are lost; our only salvation is in the credit which we intend to receive from Europe. If this credit is granted and we can manage to stay from eight to 10 years we are saved and the Universal Revolution will then be everywhere established without any doubt.’’

Two great movements are now combined, the faith of the Bolshevists in this scheme of “Universal Revolution’’ and the apparent faith of European lenders in the power of the Bolshevists to obtain the credit they need. Tchitcherin is aiming, in this Conference at Genoa, at trying to arrange a peace like the “Peace of Westphalia” between the Catholics and Protestants, but he forgets that in the 17th century the struggle was between two ideals; now it is between two systems of economic policy.

The ignorance of the new diplomat is well known, but we will not touch on that. The whole state of affairs is summed up in M. Scheffer’s concluding words: “One step more, and there is complete ruin.” Is not this outspokenly frank?

OLGA NOVIKOFF.

4, Brunswick-place. Regent’s Park.