On the whole it is a good thing that they
should come ; for left to brood over their imaginary wrongs, behind the bars of their self-imposed prison, the Bolsheviks are not likely to become pleasanter people to deal with. No harm can he done by bringing them into contact with the rest of the world ; for the fanaticism which Bolshevism breeds is largely the outcome of the suspicion and distrust caused by isolation. And whether we like it or not, we need the co-operation of Russia, if peace is to be consolidated and prosperity extended in Europe. Our best plan will be not to try to understand the ramifications of their mind, but to take them as we find them, and not to queer their pitch in advance by suggesting that they are coming to play a double game. Let them at any rate have the chance of proving that they intend this time to deal honestly with the rest of. Europe ; and perhaps if we get on better terms we shall be able to persuade them to drop all their rant and intrigue about the social revolution, for they will have to do so if they really want the assistance of that much abused but useful person, the capitalist, in putting Russia on her feet again. As for Anglo-Russian relations, our quarrel with the Soviet Republic was none of our own seeking, and the Bolsheviks know very well what they must do if they wish to be on better terms with Great Britain.
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