296 THE CLASS STRUGGLE GREETINGS FROM SOVIET RUSSIA 297 And yet, revolutionary Russia, economically exhausted, cuc off from all supplies, and without the slightest assistance of any kind from the outside, even from the socialistic Germany of Scheidemann and Haase, which has categorically refused even spiritual rapprochement revolutionary Russia, young and hungry, looks full of confidence to the future.
There is a calm, determined, hopeful spirit prevailing in Moscow. The material and spiritual means at our disposal were used first of all for the needs of the Red Army, which was facing superhuman tasks on all the changing fronts. But confidence is placed not only in the army. Excellently prepared as it is to account for the internal enemies and counter revolutionary bands, it nevertheless would be hopeless to attempt a modern war with the Allies, if such a war were a human possibility.
The confidence of the Russian proletariat is, in spite of all disappointments, still placed unshaken in the international solidarity of the workers. This firm conviction, which is capable of such tremendous sacrifices, is probably the most magnificent, the most affecting spectacle in this age so richly supplied with shifting emotions.
In spite of all the enemies at the frontiers, in spite of the unscrupulous counter revolutionary propaganda, which is still being carried on here on an extensive scale and with unlimited funds, Moscow presents a completely normal appearance. There is no nervous excitement, the streets are animated and safe to walk in by day and by night, the theatres and concerts, as well as the countless meetings are always full of frequenters, and one would be inclined to think that all trouble was past, if it were not for an occasional reminder from one stomach. Even the supply of clothing, including shoes, is satisfactory, in spite of all difficulties, the distribution being of course modified in accordance with supplies on hand and amount already received by individuals.
In spite of the material difficulties, spiritual life comes into its own. The thirst for education is general, and all lectures, courses and instructions are crowded with visitors, including the Socialistic Academy; the latter has actually been already opened with 3, 000 students. The celebration of the anniversary of the proletarian revolution was an overwhelming event. More than a million Russian citizen, men and women, workers, peasants, and soldiers, demonstrated in the most perfect order, marching with dozens of banners, made especially for this purpose, along the graves of the fallen, and singing the powerful Russian Funeral March. The whole city was generously decorated with red flags and symbolic emblems, in many cases futuristic in style, and although the German Government had just broken off diplomatic relations, and although an Eastern Front had again become a possibility, there was a genuine holiday spirit abroad. In Petersburg there has been an exhibition of all the artistic landmarks of the city, among which there are monuments and statues of permanent value, and it is remarkable how many proletarian talents have in this short period developed into artists.
One interesting trait chosen from among many: In Moscow there was not enough fuel, and yet it was desired to have an illumination in the evening. Nothing simpler. The tramway service was restricted for a few days before the event, and electricity was thus saved for the brilliant illumination of the glorious festival of the glorious revolution. The great difficulty is and remains the question of bread, for bread is in Russia, more than in your country, the foodstuff par excellence.
Yet it has been found possible, within the last few days, to increase the bread ration in consequence of the conquests of the Red Army. The ration is now one poud (400 grams) for the first category (soldiers, etc. 300 gr. for the second category (heavy labor. 200 for the third category, and 100 gr. for the fourth (bourgeoisie. in each case per diem. And when the German Revolution at last began to stir and the really revolutionary German Workers Republic seemed likely to be able to obtain bread only from Russia, great gatherings were held in a number of places, in which Russian workers, with their serious pale faces, who had already hungered much, resolved unanimously that they would rather hunger a little more in order to save up supplies for their German comrades. And they did not permit the thing to stop at empty words. Immediately from various quarters there came reports of the quantities that would be set aside for this purpose, and a long train laden with precious grain soon reached Germany. But the old slave drivers Scheidemann Co. refused the proffered aid because the Entente did not want to permit them to have any contact with Russia, and because they were under the impression that their Allied hangmen would take better care of the German workers than their hungering Russian comrades.
The treason of their leaders and the blindness of the masses has probably deprived the German proletariat of any self confidence at all. What could not have been attained if the technical skill and the organizing ability of the German workers could have been united with the incredible, as yet barely touched resources of Russia! For it is still rather the lack of proper trans