PROPAGANDA METHODS 193
Moscow knew, and indeed openly stated, that as soon as these
other states perceived political or, above all, economic advan-
tages, however transitory, all regard for more lofty ideals,
e.g. the fete of kinsmen living and dying in Russia, would cease
to have weight.
The principle of Moscow's propagandist methods is always
the same: to broadcast record achievements and to create the
illusion that the general development of the country conforms
to these records and thus approximates to the ideal state aimed
at by Communism. And, indeed, everything possible is done to
create the impression in the bourgeois world that, "despite
inevitable difficulties and obstacles," the realization of the
desirable state which the Communist theory promises the
nations of the world is already approaching. In its endeavours
Moscow propaganda is favoured by the extraordinary suggestive
force exerted by Communist theory on many just and high-
minded persons all over the world, quite apart from the fact
that certain industrial interests in many countries—actuated
exclusively by selfish private considerations—are only waiting
to catch up and spread the Bolshevist slogan that business
with Russia brings ample profits to all countries taking part
in it
The chief preliminary condition for the success of the pressure
so actively exerted on world public opinion is that Moscow,
simply to attain its end, has no regard for truth, real facts or
any ethical considerations. Stalin and the Kremlin know one
principle only: "The end justifies the means"; and in the
present case the end demands that economists, statisticians,
officials and others shall calculate and represent as true whatever
is djemanded of them. The whole Soviet apparatus is the servant
of this task which the Kremlin has dictated.
The Government, correctly estimating the ctedulousness
of the non-Communist world, believes it possible to publish
fects and figures which contain extraordinary exaggerations.
The Bolsheviks say to themselves that this method almost