The Daily Worker Newspaper, February 23, 1924, Page 12

PosPecte oagoednede efoatets Moet. oe PacPech Srtoegeetnats SeeSoedoe se edpedeeoasontente ontoateesondonteaontontonsontentontoetoasonionteesoatoesestvateatoasoatontoetontoetontiesenloite | SII IE III IMI NNN MON MONO IN MT MN MMI MT MoI tI TI The First Time In History} Literary and Musical Entertainment SeoDeteeedeeedoaedesoededegenetoeeeetonenterteeeateteteaeteeeeteeenteetetodoeenteteteeeteadeeetoetetecgatenedednedeteae The First Time In History. Two Years of Russia’s New, Life. By Anna Louise Strong, with Introduction by Leon Trotzky; published by Boni & Liveright. $2.00. eos QO MANY books are being written ‘and. published about Soviet Russia SUNDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 24 S and the Russian Revolution that one tends to pick up each new arrival At the on the book market with a sort of suspicion that this is merely. another rehash of the same old stories, the same old yarns, _ We must admit that we were pleasantly surprised in the book just written by Anna.Louise Strong. “The First Time in History” is especially valuable because it is one of the few authentic analyses of the recent developments in Soviet Russia. Miss Strong mainly deals with Russia’s efforts at reconstruction, The new economic policy, the numerous diffi- cult problems of rebuilding the coun- try after years of war and counter revolution, the complicated social is- sues arising from the Soviet gov- ernment’s inheritance of a people de- graded and oppressed for centuries, these are the subjects which weave the story of “The First Time in His- tory.” As Comrade Trotzky says in his preface to this book, “Under the prose of the Nep (New Economic Pol- icy), as well as under the dramatic events of the civil war, she was able to see, or perhaps at the very begin- ning, merely to feel—the intense, stubborn, uncompromising struggle against age-long slavery, darkness, — for new higher forms of ife. Anna Louise Strong deals with her |< difficult subject matter in an admir- able way. The approach is most real- istic. “In the nations of the West they speak of the new economic pol- icy as Russia’s return to capitalism. In Russia they call it, ‘the new road to Communism.’ It is a road that they know will take them many years. Already in two years they have advanced farther than they hoped when they began.” This is the spirit of Miss Strong in her treatment of the period of August, 1921-December, 1928—two of, the most trying years in the life of the Soviet Republic of Russia. Anna Louise Strong has had an opportunity to see Soviet Russia at first hand. Her findings and con- clusions are based on her own care- ful observations. Among the subjects dealt with in “The First Time in History,” are the role of money in Russia, “The Story of Russian Oil,” the housing and agricultural questions, “The War with Alcohol,” “Do the Jews Rule Russia,’ “The Church Revolution,” and “Education in Soviet Russia.” The significance of Soviet Russia’s holding the balance of power in the present world struggle cannot be over-estimated and the author has fortunately taken full cognizance of it. The vital point of difference be- tween the Soviet method of dealing with the oil situation and the imper- ialist capitalist method is made very clear by Miss Strong. The author shows how Soviet Russia has gotten out of the stage of stocks and bonds in oil and into the realm of work- ingmen and engineers. The treatment of the agricultural situation in Russia is especially en- lightening. The author presents a most interesting reaction of a group of American agriculturists led by Harold M. Ware to the effect that the farmers of Russia had the best chance of all the farmers to pull out of the great international agricultu- ral crisis that has followed the war. Soviet Russia’s terrific struggle with illiteracy is treated in a very vivid manner and the incomparable difficulties confronting the first Workers’ and Farmers’ Republie ar: brought home in the citation of many facta about Russia’s educational ¢~™ ditions. We need but mention the fact that schools in Russia are con- ducted in no less than sixty lan- guages, In closing, we present the author’s fundamental attitude in order to gge the reader the message of the book. “There have been many revolutions in history, each with its tragic dig- nity, its cruelties, its power released. But never has there been a great organization, in control of the eco- nomic as well as of the_ political resources of a nation, planning stead- ily thru the prose of daily life a fu- ture embracing many lands and dec- ades, learning from mistakes, chang- ing methods but not aims, controlling press and education and law and in- dustry ag tools to its purpose... . This the common consciousness in action, crude, half-organized and in- efficient, but the first time in history.” Thruout her story Miss Strong } a » Given By the JOHN REED BRANCH of the Young Workers League WORKERS LYCEUM, 2733 Hirsch Boul. Speaker: ROBERT MINOR All Proceeds for THE DAILY WORKER Admission 25 Cents Commencing 6 P. M. maintains the reader’s interest un- flagging. The book is a worthwhile contribution to the literature on So- viet Russia. It is particularly valu- able as bringing up to date the most recent phases of reconstruction ‘in the Soviet Republic. —JAY LOVESTONE, From Preludes By T. & ELIOT. The morning comes to consci Of faint stale smells of beer aoe From sawdust-trampled street With all its muddy feet that press To early coffee-stands. With other masquerades That time resumes, One thinks of all the hands That are raising dingy shades In a thousand furnished rooms. DOUGLAS RENTAL HOUSE $. RUBAKIN, Prop. ; Full Dress and Tuxedo Suits, Evening and Wedding Gowns, } Bridal Veils and Wraps to Rent 3336 Roosevelt Rd. CHICAGO Tel. Nevada 1739 Let us tell you how to make your money work for you. No Speculation, Gamble or Chance of Loss. Small monthly payments. Exempt from National, State or Local Taxation. Thousands have already made money on the proposition we are now offering you. Only a limited amount still available. Write to BOX A. A. THE DAILY WORKER.-} This Comins Pays A Premium Copies of ‘AWeek’ Free! , NOTICE Beginning Feb. 14, the Labor Defense Council will give away a copy of Iury Libedinsky’s vivid novel of revolutionary Russia for every sheet of Ruthenberg Appeal Coupons Sold. 2: Li x WE MUST NOT LET RUTHENBERG AND FOSTER GO TO JAIL FOR LACK OF SUPPORT By selling Ruthenberg Appeal Coupons you will do your bit for the Michigan Defense and at the same time build up your library. THE DEFENSE NEEDS $15,000 BY MARCH 1ST! Buy and Sell Ruthenberg Appeal Coupons! GET BEHIND THE RUTHENBERG APPEAL! Coupons Sell for 10c, 25c, 50c and $1. A Full Sheet Sells for $6. SEND ALL MONEY TO LABOR DEFENSE COUNCIL 166 West Washington St. RA. Loe. _ CHICAGO, ILL.