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THE CRISIS IN RUSSIA
THE CRISIS IN RUSSIA
by ARTHUR RANSOME
TO WILLIAM PETERS OF ABERDEEN
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THE CRISIS IN RUSSIA
INTRODUCTION
THE characteristic of a revolutionary country is that change is a
quicker process there than elsewhere。 As the revolution recedes into the
past the process of change slackens speed。 Russia is no longer the dizzying
kaleidoscope that it was in 1917。 No longer does it change visibly from
week to week as it changed in 19l8。 Already； to get a clear vision of the
direction in which it is changing； it is necessary to visit it at intervals of six
months； and quite useless to tap the political barometer several times a day
as once upon a time one used to do。 。 。 。 But it is still changing very fast。
My jourrnal of
〃Russia in 1919；〃while giving as I believe a fairly accurate pictureof
the state of affairs in February and March of 1919； pictures a very
different stage in the development of the revolution from that which would
be found by observers today。
The prolonged state of crisis in which the country has been kept by
external war； while strengthening the ruling party by rallying even their
enemies to their support； has had the other effects that a national crisis
always has on the internal politics of a country。 Methods of government
which in normal times would no doubt be softened or disguised by
ceremonial usage are used nakedly and justified by necessity。 We have
seen the same thing in belligerent and non…revolutionary countries； and；
for the impartial student； it has been interesting to observe that； when this
test of crisis is applied； the actual governmental machine in every country
looks very much like that in every other。 They wave different flags to
stimulate enthusiasm and to justify submission。 But that is all。 Under
the stress of war； 〃 constitutional safeguards〃 go by the board 〃for the
public good；〃 in Moscow as elsewhere。 Under that stress it becomes clear
that； in spite of its novel constitution； Russia is governed much as other
countries are governed； the real directive power lying in the hands of a
comparatively small body which is able by hook or crook to infect with its
conscious will a population largely indifferent and inert。 A visitor to
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THE CRISIS IN RUSSIA
Moscow to…day would find much of the constitutional machinery that was
in full working order in the spring of 1919 now falling into rust and
disrepair。 He would not be able once a week or so to attend All…
Russian Executive and hear discussions in this parliament of the questions
of the day。 No one tries to shirk the fact that the Executive Committee
has fallen into desuetude； from which； when the stress slackens enough to
permit ceremonial that has not an immediate agitational value； it may
some day be revived。 The bulk of its members have been at the front or
here and there about the country wrestling with the economic problem；
and their work is more useful than their chatter。 Thus brutally is the
thing stated。 The continued stress has made the muscles； the actual
works； of the revolution more visible than formerly。 The working of the
machine is not only seen more clearly； but is also more frankly stated
（perhaps simply because they too see it now more clearly）； by the leaders
themselves。
I want in this book to describe the working of the machine as I now
see it。 But it is not only the machine which is more nakedly visible than
it was。 The stress to which it is being subjected has also not so much
changed its character as become easier of analysis。 At least； I seem to
myself to see it differently。 In the earlier days it seemed quite simply the
struggle between a revolutionary and non…revolutionary countries。 I now
think that that struggle is a foolish； unnecesary； lunatic incident which
disguised from us the existence of a far more serious struggle； in which the
revolutionary and non…revolutionary governments are fighting on the same
side。 They fight without cooperation； and throw insults and bullets at
each other in the middle of the struggle； but they are fighting for the same
thing。 They are fighting the same enemy。 Their quarrel with each other is
for both parties merely a harassing accompaniment of the struggle to
which all Europe is committed； for the salvage of what is left of European
civilization。
The threat of a complete collapse of civilization is more imminent in
Russia than elsewhere。 But it is clear enough in Poland； it cannot be
disregarded in Germany； there is no doubt of its existence in Italy； France
is conscious of it； it is only in England and America that this threat is
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not among the waking nightmares of everybody。 Unless the struggle；
which has hitherto been going against us； takes a turn for the better； we
shall presently be quite unable to ignore it ourselves。
I have tried to state the position in Russia today： on the one hand to
describe the crisis itself； the threat which is forcing these people to an
extreme of effort； and on the other hand to describe the organization that is
facing that threat； on the one hand to set down what are the main
characteristics of the crisis； on the other hand to show how the
comparatively small body of persons actually supplying the Russian
people with its directives set about the stupendous task of moving that vast
inert mass； not along the path of least resistance； but along a path which；
while alike unpleasant and extremely difficult； does seem to them to
promise some sort of eventual escape。
No book is entirely objective； so I do not in the least mind stating my
own reason for writing this one （which has taken time that I should have
liked to spend on other and very different things）。 Knowledge of this
reason will permit the reader to make allowances for such bias I have
been unable to avoid； and so； by judicious reading； to make my book
perhaps nearly as objective as I should myself wish it to be。
It has been said that when two armies face each other across a
battle front and engage in mutual slaughter； they may be considered as a
single army engaged in suicide。 Now it seems to me that when countries；
each one severally doing its best to arrest its private economic ruin； do
their utmost to accelerate the economic ruin of each other； we are
witnessing something very like the suicide of civilization itself。 There are
people in both camps who believe that armed and economic conflict
between revolutionary and non…revolutionary Europe； or if you like
between Capitalism and Communism； is inevitable。 These people； in both
camps； are doing their best to make it inevitable。 Sturdy pessimists； in
Moscow no less than in London and Paris； they go so far as to say 〃the
sooner the better；〃 and by all means in their power try to precipitate a
conflict。 Now the main effort in Russia to…day； the struggle which absorbs
the chief attention of all but the few Communist Churchills and
Communist Millerands who； blind to all else； demand an immediate
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pitched battle over the prostrate body of civilization； is directed to finding
a way for Ru