234 HUMAN LIFE IN RUSSIA
witnesses that thousands of peasants have died of starvation
in the immediate vicinity. It is a contrast typical of the Soviet
Union and of the two worlds within it; on the one hand the
gigantic constructions of the five-year plan and on the other
the misery and starvation of the non-privileged classes.
After breakfast on the right bank of the Dnieper, during
which M. Herriot compared the Dnieprostroi with one of
Mr. H. G. Wells's marvellous cities, the afternoon was devoted
to an inspection of the hydro-electric station and a visit to
the neighbouring collective farm called International. During
this visit an episode occurred that throws a strong light on
M. Herriot's expedition and on the naivete of Moscow's guests
of honour, who are taken from one exhibit to the next and
admire the technical achievements with open-mouthed amaze-
ment. The episode took place while the visitors were watching
an electric threshing machine, and is thus described in Izvestia:
"Edouard Herriot has frowned. A stream of golden grain runs
out of the threshing machine. A peasant girl with blooming
face catches the grain in a pail and empties it, as soon as it is
full, into a container. While she is doing so some of the grain
falls on the ground and a boy with a broom sweeps it aside,
Herriot goes to the threshing machine. His black overcoat is
grey with dust. The French ex-Premier examines the threshing
machine without being quite aware of what is wrong, but his
parsimonious sense has been awakened. He manifests disquiet,
calls for the president of the collective farm and asks for a
second pail. Before the eyes of the abashed members of the
settlement Herriot, with sleeves rolled up, demonstrates his
method of rationalization. He suggests that two pails should
be used to prevent a single grain from being lost. . . .**
A proud day for M. Herriot: he had succeeded in suggesting
aa improvement upon the perfect mechanization of Russian
agriculture. And at a press conference in his honour at Moscow
he explained in all seriousness to the Russian and foreign
journalists: **During my visit to the 'International* I had the