The Report, we are informed, will show that " millions
of new capital could be properly and safely invested in Russia." The natural comment on this is that if money can be so safely and properly invested, there does not seem to be any real need for the guaranteed loan which the Soviet and the British Labour Party still speak of as indispensable. Another reflection is that the " enor- mous improvement " which the Commission noted as having taken place in the material conditions of Russian life since 1920 has coincided with the gradual relinquish- ment of Communism in favour of the " New Economic Policy." The Manchester Guardian and the Times have pointed out several respects in which the preliminary Report of the Commission flatly contradicts Russian evidence which has been published on the same subjects. For example, in his book Problems of Life, published a few months ago, Trotsky asserted that private morality in Russia was bad ; the British visitors, on the other hand, say that vices are being " rapidly eliminated." Trotsky wrote of hearing all around him the " hungry, desperate, tormented swearing of the masses " ; whereas Mr. Purcell and Mr. Bramley were impressed by the spectacle of the masses rejoicing in workers' clubs, rest houses and sport and physical centres.
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