FOREWORD.
We have heard a good deal of the work done by the Soviet régime of Russia in the towns, but we know next to nothing of the revolution which has been accomplished in the Russian villages. Yet the degree in which the Revolution has affected the villages is of prime importance in a country which is so preeminently agricultural as Russia. The present pamphlet sheds considerable light upon this highly important aspect of the great Russian Revolution. The two decrees show the principles which were applied by Socialism in power to the solution of the land question, and Lenin's speech gives an outline of what has been practically accomplished in the application of those principles. It will be seen that Lenin considers the Revolution as having proved triumphant also in the villages.
The two decrees have already been translated in America, but rather badly. The present new translation is authoritative. Lenin's speech is translated for the first time, and the translation may also be regarded as accurate in every respect.
It deserves to be noted that the first Land Decree was issued by the congress of Soviets on the day following the successful accomplishment of the Bolshevik Revolution on November 7th, 1917, when the supreme executive authority in the country was grasped by the Council of People's Commissaries, entirely Bolshevik in its composition. Nevertheless, recognising the will of the people as the supreme law, the Council adopted as the basis for the decree the programme drawn up by the peasants themselves, who were at that time under the preponderating influence of the Socialist-Revolutionaries—a programme which the Bolsheviks had regarded as, on many points, impracticable.
The second decree was issued by the Central Executive Committee of the Soviets at a time when the Socialist-Revolutionaries of the Left were forming part of the Government and held, among others, the all-important portfolio of Agriculture. It represents, on the whole, a development of the first one, but contains highly important additions for the encouragement of collective tillage, introduced by the Bolsheviks. Lenin's speech explains the true significance of these additions.
We have pleasure in presenting these important documents to British readers on account not only of their historical interest, but because of their practical value.
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