In spite of the gigantic relief work which is being carried on, the famine is still very acute and even the official Soviet press mentions many cases of cannibalism. According to official data the shortage in seeds and live stock is so great that a large percentage of the fields will not be cultivated, not only in the Volga provinces but also in the Ukraine and the Don region.
The Economic Commission has made a report to this effect, which it intends to present-at the Genoa. conference. The report emphasizes that the economic reconstruction of Russia. will only be possible when agriculture is revived. This. may only be done by importing the necessary quantity of seeds, livd. stock and agricultural machines.
The economic ruin' of Russia is an established fact. The Soviet Government, having proclaimed the new trend of their economic: policy, ara endeavouring to establish relations with foreign countries with a view to obtaining the necessary credit and are prepared tomake concessions. It would be only reasonable to ask whether the Soviet Government will be able to accomplish the difficult task of restoring the country they have ruined, whether they are sincere in their desire to cooperate with other countries and what guarantees. they will give. The answer to these questions will probably be heard in Genoa.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.