Trust Russia 185 



British Empire. To prevent the German economic control 

 of Russia IS therefore a matter of vital importance, not 

 only to the financial and industrial interests of this country, 

 but also to the working classes. Just as industry is 

 dependent upon raw materials for its maintenance and 

 prosperity, so are the working classes dependent upon 

 industry for their means of livelihood. Consequently it is 

 equally to the interests of the working man and to those 

 of the other classes of the community that Germany should 

 he prevented from obtaining the control of Russia's vast 

 supplies of men and materials. 



This problem should be faced energetically and 

 promptly, by the combined business and working interests 

 of Great Britain. The manner in which this can be 

 effected is only by a liberal and open extension of 

 technical, commercial and financial assistance to the 

 people of Russia, in the development of their country, 

 and the establishment and expansion of their national 

 industries, coupled with the supply of the urgently needed 

 necessaries of life at the earliest possible moment. 



Unfortunately owing to the stress and pressure brought 

 about by the War, the financial, industrial and labour 

 interests of this country have not found lime to consider 

 the trend of the present economic condition of Russia. It 

 is felt, however, that the position has only to be clearly 

 set out for its obvious importance to be recognized. 



It has now become apparent that the attitude of passive 

 sympathy maintained both by our Government and our 

 people towards Russia has been a huge mistake. Instead 

 of going out and helping them we have overpraised them 

 for their successes, and unwarrantably reproached them 

 for their failures. To make this clear it should be empha- 

 sized that 70 per cent, of the agricultural population are 

 inarticulate and illiterate. It is therefore not only unjust 

 but unfair to blame the entire nation for the misdeeds of 

 a few. 



While it is admitted that Russia's shortcomings have 

 been great, we must admit that we ourselves are not 

 altogether free from blame. Practically nothing has been 

 done — and what little has been done has been conducted 

 in a haphazard manner — to educate the Russian masses 

 and bring them to see the justice of the aims of the Allies 

 in the W^ar. The Russian people can and must be made 

 to see that their whole future and the future of the country 

 they love can only be assured by loyal co-operation with 

 the Allies. 



