Feb, 12.
So long as Bolshevism marches. side by side with the northern boundaries of China, and while the masses in the country extract comfort from a contem-piation of its beauties as doctrine of life, we shall be compelled to take a special interest in the subject. Ever alert, the local authorities are carefully noting any sign of Bolshevik activity; it is from their observation that we know of discussions taking place remarkably favourable to the scheme of things which emanates from Russia. Mr. Litvinov, the the recent conference with Mr. Bolshevik agent who attended
O'Grady at Copenhagen, has given us a version of Bolshevism in its ideal form, and without any question it is this ideal side of it which the Chinese are discussing. The autocratic side of which we have read in telegrams—the dragooning of industry, the Prussian orders to labour—have been carefully concealed, as naunt inking, unheeding' labourers they "would be, and the
imagine a state of affairs in which they would live as contentedly as they now travel in the tram-cars, a cheerful, happy mob, sharing what comforts there are and having such articles as cigarettes as a sort of common property. Only there would be no conductor and no fares, so the sum total of happiness would be immeasurably increased. One can hardly imagine that the Bolshevism as now preached vould have any other effect on their minds than this; in fact Mr. Litvinov's statements con-yoy some such impression. However much, therefore, we may suspect from the telegraphic messages that Bolshevism has proved little more than a type of slavery, we can, for the moment, content ourselves with a wholehearted quarrel with Mr. Litvinov's paradise.
"Tt would be tryin; writes R. L. Stevenson in his inimitable vein, ''to keep bed and board with an early riser or a vegetarjan." That is, unfortunately, exactly what the Bolshevists would have us do. We are to give up the spare rooms in our house to those calling for house room, although we may be allowed to choose, so far as possible, our fellow lodgers. And we shall
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.