ANGLO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sra,—My attention has been drawn to a book entitled Humanity Uprooted, by Mr. Maurice Hindus, an American citizen of Russian birth and parentage, who has revisited Russia and reported conversations with numerous Russians on the religious, social, and political life under the Bolsheviks. One chapter, however, is on "England," and as the book seems to be popular, I ask for space to say a few words on that chapter.
I have some knowledge of Anglo-Russian relations—I was a Liberal official who - served under Mr. Gladstone, under Campbell-Bannerman, Asquith, and Lloyd George. I remember interviewing M. Clemenceau on Liberal policy just after the Russian fleet had sunk our Hull trawlers in the North Sea, and I remember meeting M. Litvinoff, now Russia's Foreign Minister, when he was an exile here in London.
1 say without hesitation that Mr. Hindus presents a totally untrue picture of the attitude of England towards Russia. It is not true to say that England and Russia are ancient foes—that for over a century they have been swinging fists at each other—that Campbell-Bannerman's agreement with Russia in 1907 "did not remove the source of fundamental antagonism."
England did not—as Mr. Hindus avers—seek her oppor- tunity when the 1917 Revolution broke out to break Russia's bank. England did not establish spheres of influence so as to entrench herself in the waters round Russia : she did not exploit the fight on Bolshevism for grandiose plans of expan- sion. England had no desire to slash Russia to pieces, and if Russians believe it they should be told it is not true. If the obsession that England is to-day Russia's enemy is hunting the Russian peasants, someone should tell them the Spedtre is a hoax. If Siberian High School children _treat Sir Austen Chamber- lain as a target for rifle practice, it 'is time they were - told that no Englishman proposes to invade Siberia.
This chiipter ends: with a proPhecy,, of a Collision. Let nie, therefore, record simple facts. -Mr. Gladstone was a great and vigorous supporter of friendship between England and Russia. Ile desired co-operation with Russia on behalf of Armenia. England encouraged the DOuina in every way and harboured many Russian Liberals who took refuge here. The courageous voice of Campbell-Bannerman saying " Vive in Donnas was the only voice in Europe protesting against the Russian reaction of 1907; and daring the Hague Con- ference of that year most friendly relations "existed between
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England and Russia. 'When' Ritssia was crossed by Germany at ConstantinOple in 1914 it was to England'that M. IsVolsky. turned 'for 'support, and Russia succeeded in her policy of an Anglo-Russian Naval Entente, so that England actually went to war in a Russian quarrel. - No doubt England stands by the tenets of the Christian religion.---We still believe it to be man's duty "to do justly, to love mercy and walk humbly before God," or JO use a Pauline phrase, that we are all the offspring of God. But our very liberalism-assureS to Russia lull scope for her exPeri- nient in Ccinummism and atheism within her Own: frontiers. A State cannot thrive on an untruth.—I am; Sir, &c., - R. C. HAWKIN.
2 Harcourt Buildings, Tempk,
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