The Bolsheviks; who have repeatedly declared that they would never
recognize Russia's- debts; have nominally receded from that position. Iii a note presented on Sunday they informed the British• Government that they would recognize Russia's obligations " with respect to State loans made by the Tsarist Government before 1914," provided that they were given " those special conditions and. facilities which will render possible the realization of this undertaking." The primary condition was that. the Great Powers should conclude a definite pesos with the Bolsheviks, and. that other Powers should recognize them as a Government. They proposed the summoning of an inter- national conference to discuss the claims of the Powers against Russia, and of Russia against the Powers, and to draw up a treaty of peace. It will be observed that the conditions make the offer worthless, as there is no likelihood of all the Powers agreeing to such terms. Nor will Russia, so long as the Bolshevik chaos endures, be able to pay her foreign debts. The Bolsheviks have already asked for fresh loans with which to buy food for the peasantry whom they have reduced to starvation.
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