As for Russia, Mr. Lloyd George asked the House to
face the facts. Bolshevism, whose horrors had revolted the conscience of mankind, was not democracy, but the rule of a privileged minority. Yet it could not be crushed by force of arms. Its opponents had had their chance, and had failed. The Volunteer armies had alienated the people, whereas the Bolsheviks were now showing more tact. The border States would not join an offensive alliance against Bolshevism, nor would Japan. France, America, and Italy declined to support an offensive. On the other hand, the Allies would not make.peace with tho Bolsheviks, whose tenure of power was very uncertain. As we had failed to restore Russia to sanity by force, we must try to do it by trade. " Commerce has a sobering influence in its operations." Mr. Lloyd George said that he did not fear a Bolshevik offensive in Europe or Asia. The Bolshevik armies were not equipped for foreign campaigns. Moreover, they had nothing to gain by invading their neighbours, who were poorer than themselves. If it were true that Russia had corn to sell, we must try to buy it. " You cannot refuse to buy corn in Egypt because there is a Pharaoh on the throne." His plan, Mr. Lloyd George concluded, was simply to "fight anarchy with abundance."
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