The Daily Worker Newspaper, March 12, 1927, Page 6

A Sailor Drifts in Red Russia : Sunday, August 8. We arrived in Leningrad last night. Everywhere around us in the port we see the work of recon- struction and socialist construction going apace, Huge new warehouses and other buildings are to he seen on both banks of the river. This morning a fellow came aboard to invite us to the International Seamen’s Club. We were doubtful about the invita- tion owing to our previous knowledge of Seamen’s Missions in other countries where we are handed an alleged “coffee and” after prayers. But as he proved to be an ex-wobbly who had been deported from the “land of the free” to the Land of the Free, we accepted. We found the elub, once the palatial residence of a Tzarist officer, to be a place where we could learn how to organize, and where we could gain the knowl- edge that is the weapon of: workers in their fight for emancipation. A lerge bunch of seamen were gathered there and we went on an excursion to the Peter and Paul fortress. This was formerly a prison in which many revolutionaries were incarcerated by the Tzars. It was built in thee middle of the 18th century and stands on the bank of the Neva. The prison is now in the hands of the Revalutionary Museum Committee. At the gate is posted a declara- tion of thanks to the people of Leningrad from the British Trade Union Delegation, 1924. We went through most of the cells. Those above ground were quite large and had electric lights. The elec- trie lights were installed because when the Tzar’s prisoners had kerogene lamps the prisoners would soak their beds With the oil, burn the bed and then cast themselves on the flames, and so put them- selves out of their misery. In one dark cell the last three occupants had spent 28, 27 and 26 years respectively. After going through the prison we went to the Field of Wars. Here lie the martyrs of the March Revolution. A thousand Red Guards lying in their red coffins. Surrounding the graves is a circular wall in four segments. This wall is made from the the blocks of marble which formerly made the wall around the winter palace. From here we went to the Alexander If Memorial Church. This is one of the most beautiful) buildings imaginable, being built in colored mosaie. The church is built on the spot were Alexander was killed by revolutionaries in 1881. Poor Alex never had a ehance. Twenty-five of the boys were lined up with bombs but only two were needed. From. here we went to the Kazanski Cathedral. This is a splendid building-in the Nevsky Prospeet and is built after the style of the church of Corinth. We went inside. The priests and other pagans looked seared as about fifty seamen of different nation- alities hopped in. * * a Monday, August 9. Decided this morning that this country is too interesting to miss seeing. Vill take a holiday and if possible go to Moscow. Made inquiries and was told that as a foreigner I would need a police per+ mit. Trotted up to the police office dragging an interpreter with me. They were very polite, thé couldn’t give me a pass today, would I come on Wednesday. So I wandered around sightseeing’ Leningrad, Red Petrograd of 1917 is full of interest to the foreign worker who is class conscious. One can almost visualize the Red Guards on the streets, armed, untrained, but burning with revolutionary enthusiasm. Leningrad appears to be a city of churehes. Religion still has a strong grip on many . of these people. Everytime sume of the fanatics pass a church they cross themselves (aee, king, queen, jack fashion) and mutter a little prayer. Wandered down the famous Nevski Prospect (now October Street) full of stores displayimg their goods. One can be amused at the puny efforts of the Nep- men trying to compete with the powerful Co-opera- tives. Drifted into Palace Square. In front of me was the Winter Palace. It was here, in 1905, that the workers were shot down im hundreds when they were led by the agent-provocateur priest Gapon. The palace is a magnificent building, the walls of which are still spattered with bullet holes. The palace is being renovated so I conldn’t get i . Walked around to the banks of the Neva, stood on the Palaee Bridge. Here where the revolution started. As the workers eame pou over this bridge, going to the palace, the police! und ‘soldiers opened fire. A minister, looking out of a. palace window said, “There goes the Russian Revolution— and it be crushed in fifteen minutes.” That was in 1917. The workers are still pouring over the bridge, (on their way to enjoy themselves in the cafes and theatres, and the revolution has not been crushed,: Went back to October Street and into the Bar Cafe. s is a huge restaurant and contains three orche: plenty of beer, and many pretty girls. : F LJ * * ‘Tuesday, August 10. ~ According to the English newspapers there is a here against the Soviet. They say that in there is street fighting, thousands of ar- made, and Smolny is in the hands of the rebels. netsh newspaper people must have won- (or yy rye > a We are right here on the spot and have nof s°"~ thing. The “rebels’*must be fie’ ~~ ! : ny heard any- revy quietly. * Wandering around the town all day. There stems to be an epidemic of renovation in Leningrad. Most of the streets are being repaired and most of the building are having a birthday. Everywhere the sears of the revolution are being obliterated. Went into the Komsomoles (Y. C. L.) Club. This building was once a large cafe and cabaret. Now it is used for the education and pleasure of the young work- ers, every facility being provided. In the library are thousands of books and the slogan, “We must be 100 per cent students.” Went through the various roonis. One room is used for the study of acienee, another for aviation, another for agriculture and_so on. * 7 . Wednesday, August 11. To the police office this morning. They were stil! very polite, would I eome back on Friday for the permit. This was no use to me, I determined to go without a permit and chance it. Went down to the October Station. In front of the station is October Square. In the middle of the square stands a colossal monument of Alexander III. Cut im: the base of this menument is the following: : SCARECROW. My son and father have met their fate But I who have deserved immortal disgrace Am here as a cast iron scarecrow To remind the people of absolute monarchy. Caught the 9.30 p. m. train for Moscow. No one pulled me up for a pass or permit. One can travel as free as in England or the U.S. In the same car- riage was part of a German delegation. As eon as the train started I lay down in my berth so that no one will try to talk to me and ask awkward ques- tions. * “ss * Thursday, August 12. “Moscow!” As the word went around the car- riage everyone clamored to get to the windows and view the distant city. Very little could be seen however, except the golden domes of many churches. As the train rattled along the last few miles every- one got busy packing. I only had a clean handker- chief so that didn’t take me long. Arrived in Mos- cow 9.30 a. m. Gave my ticket up at the barrier and got clear through. Mentally T shook hands with myself and said, “Bo, you’re in a free country. Passes are non est.” I stood on the steps of the station and locked across the square, ‘wondering which way to go: I pictured the map of Europe in my mind and then got a bit seared. Here I was in the of Red Russia and I didn’t know enough of thé lang- - uage to ask for the train back, One of_our fellows AMERICA pate Ceeeee America is a jof censored opportunity. Lick spit; eat dirt, ' There’s your opportunity; ri Then you become a big man of business. And people take off their hats To you Because you're a great man; A man Who robs other men by licking spit and eating dirt. The land is lined with motintains of gold. But we who need - Can’t even get a chip of it. The damned gold. eee us Because We always see it chinhtigg before us (We polish it). But we:know we're prevented from taking it. . America’s too, goddam big. 4 And you can’t. “have a friend here. Of course It’s because the lousy place is just a huge city with too many bugs of people crawling in it: America! Holy Christ! You feel senely in America. Cracks a cock-eyed teenth at New York harbor. Statue of Liberty: Strong satire ' On the real America. Too much noise, N America— ° Hot air From your ‘nite and ‘nationab legislature. og just stink up the atmesphere, America, ce - You amkt be ikad, rpuendiodg betahe wileh. mate You’re everything, eee bance a whore house ene che Anaek of co: ‘world. Two <n: =o | Warm room. : But most. important: « : H to cet Shao gehen abel lite water ‘0 you away your fe wate “For a healthy bastard, st Why not? “ eh f 2 om d = saan Cape tnetens atest , “ rs By T. H. M. ” had given me an addvess of bis brother here but I didn’t want to use it. Wandered around for a while, but didn’t seem to get anywhere. Hopped on a drosky and went to this address. At the house I was saved. There was a fellow there who could speak a littte Nnglish. After telling my pathetic little story we had dinner and I was taken out to see the sights. The boulevards were bright with lovely flower gardens, most of the big buildings were covered with seaffoiding. Over 400 new buildings are being erec- ted. Went through Petrovska into Sverdlov Square. At one end, in front of the Opera House, is a large mound of earth on which are growing flowers. The plants have been placed so that they show the Mead — ef Dzerjinsky who died a fortnight ago. The huge opera house is hidden behind a shield of scaffolding. We crossed over into Revolution Square and into Red Square. On our right was the immer wall of the Kremlin. Ahead was the tomb. of Lenin, and further behind was the fantastic church of Vasili Blazhenny. Along this wall of the Kremlin is the Brotherhood Grave where 400 Red Guards were buried. Here also is the grave of John Reed, marked by a block of stene, rough and untrimmed. The tomb of Lenin stands in’ the middle of Red Square. Soldiers stand guard over the comrade who led them along the path of free- dom. At the baek of this tomb is the grave of Dzérjinsky. One can only look at these graves and somehow wonder what one has missed in life and it makes one determined to carry on the life work of these comrades who have gone. Went back through the areades full of splendid shops. In the evening walked through the boulevards which were crowded with workers enjoying an evening stroll. * Friday, August 13, This afternoon went to the Moscow River. Passed the Church of Jesus, a magnificent building from the eutside. A priest wouldn’t let us inside for a look around. Near the church is a mausoleum where one of the Tsars was buried. The carcass has been taken out and i@ is to be made into a revolutionary monument. From the river one. gets a splendid vista of all the big buildings. The white building of the Comintern and the echurehes in the Kremlin. Away in the distance the golden domes of many churches can be seen gleaming in the sun. There are over 700 large churches in Moscow. Walked through the Alexander Park. Here is an obelisk with th: names of all the great revolutionaries from Merx to Plekhanov. Then to Octeber Square. Here in the former palace of the governor-general is the office of the Moscow Soviet. In the centre of the square is the October Menathent érected in memory of the Red . At the other end of the square a large tec institute is being built. In the evening we went to see the revolutionary film “Po- temkin.” Tts a great film. After T bed: seen it ¥ wanted to fight the world. _ * * te Saturday, August 14. Taking the last look around today. Into the Red Square by the Iberian Gate. “At this gate is the small chureh of the Iberiar Virgin (whoever she was). At the entrance to the gate are these words: “Religion is the Opium of the People.” of the dope fiends waiting the Brotherhood Grave and Lenin’s tomb, atheists all, and inte the church of Vasili Blazhenny, now a mu- seum. This fantastic old. church was built im 1554- 60 at the order of Ivan the Terrible after his victory over the Tartars. When it was finished Ivan put the architect’s eyes out. The church is just. a bundle of cupolas. Every inch of the wails inside have been painted. One can imagine the archbishop (like a lining the priests vp one morning and giving pot of paint and-a brush and saying on it on.” And apparentfy the boys did so. painted Mary and Jesus and baskets of themselves everywhere until there wasn’t f t : Ey : FE s it Ee z E of a fine healthy crowd. I eat on the rattler and retreated’ Sunday, August 15, anAveived int Leningrad 11.30 a. m1 i if E seck of the Winter Palace. Here is a wonderful collee- tion of old and valuable art treasures, their true value being lost to the 50 odd Philistines of the Fo’e’sle who would only stand enraptured before pic- tures of naked females. This wonderful collection of various forms of art was once the exclusive pron- is the inclusive property of the Revolutionor~ orkers of the Soviet Union. This evening I count © -*% ~ by some hairy priest. Passed — ’