In face of the triumphant enemy, the Petrograd Anarchists have
displayed the most abject cowardice, varied now and then by still more pitiful bluster. As soon as the Germans began their advance on Monday week, M. Lenin telegraphed his readiness to make peace. The German Government waited for three days before replying, and on the morning of Friday week handed their terms to the Russian messenger, giving the Anarchists forty-eight hours to accept the German peace. The Anarchist Council at Petrograd last Sunday decided by a majority to accept the terms. M. Lenin declared that Russia's position was hopeless—" their knees are on our chest "—and that peace must be accepted as a respite till " the proletariats of the whole world " should come to the aid of the Bolsheviks. He telegraphed his acceptance of the terms. But the Germans continued their advance. On Tuesday the Bolsheviks in their desperation issued a call to arms. As the Imperialist " assassins " were continuing their " monstrous advance," they said, " a mortal blow will be struck at Red Petrograd." But the Bolsheviks, though capable of destroying Russia's fighting forces, cannot recreate them, and the " Red Battalions " whom they have summoned from the void will not come.
