第24章 THE PROPAGANDA TRAINS(2)

Thus the picture on the side of one wagon is divided into two sections.On the left is a representation of the peasants and workmen of the Soviet Republic.Under it are the words, "Let us not find ourselves again..." and then, in gigantic lettering under the right-hand section of the picture, "...in the HEAVEN OF THE WHITES." This heaven isshown by an epauletted officer hitting a soldier in the face, as was done in the Tsar's army and in at least one army of the counter revolutionaries, and workmen tied to stakes, as was done by the Whites in certain towns in the south.Then another wagon illustrating the methods of Tsardom, with a State vodka shop selling its wares to wretched folk, who, when drunk on the State vodka, are flogged by the State police.Then there is a wagon showing the different Cossacks-of the Don, Terek, Kuban, Ural-riding in pairs.The Cossack infantry is represented on the other side of this wagon.On another wagon is a very jolly picture of Stenka Razin in his boat with little old-fashioned brass cannon, rowing up the river.Underneath is written the words: "I attack only the rich, with the poor I divide everything." On one side are the poor folk running from their huts to join him, on the other the rich folk firing at him from their castle.One wagon is treated purely decoratively, with a broad effective characteristically South Russian design, framing a huge inscription to the effect that the Cossacks need not fear that the Soviet Republic will interfere with their religion, since under its regime every man is to be free to believe exactly what he likes.Then there is an entertaining wagon, showing Kolchak sitting inside a fence in Siberia with a Red soldier on guard, Judenitch sitting in a little circle with a sign- post to show it is Esthonia, and Denikin running at full speed to the asylum indicated by another sign-post on which is the crescent of the Turkish Empire.Another lively picture shows the young Cossack girls learning to read, with a most realistic old Cossack woman telling them they had better not.But there is no point in describing every wagon.There are sixteen wagons in the "Red Cossack," and every one is painted all over on both sides.