Next Premier?

A few days ago a report was rife stating that Lenin was in a dying condition. This report was traced to Charles R. Crane, former American Minister to China and an extensive traveller in Russia during the past ten years. Mr. Crane, arriving in New York on the Aquitania, denied that he had ever made any assertions about Lenin's health. What he did say is "Bolshevism in Europe is dead," which is a different thing.

Lenin is, however, a sick man. He has suffered a stroke of apoplexy which has paralysed his right side and affected his speech. His medical advisers now report that his condition is very much improved, but it seems likely that Lenin's health will force him to resign the Premiership.

There has been much discussion about a successor to the sick man, and in view of Lenin's semi-anticipated resignation, the whole question is extremely pertinent. At the moment Kamenev is acting in the place of Lenin as Premier, and, although he lacks the fire of his chief, it is thought that he has a good chance of succeeding him.

Leo Kamenev is the third Vice-President of the Soviet Republic and acting chairman of the Council of People's Commissaries. He is a Jew, and was born at Tiflis 39 years ago. Kamanev is moderate in his views and has had much experience in the affairs of government, having acted as Premier in 1922 during Lenin's first illness. His already strong position is enhanced by his being the brother-in-law of Trotzky, the War Minister.