In publishing the following article th; pectator" says. "The favourable impressions which the writer of this article brought away from Moscow will probably surprise most people.
The writer's good faith, however, cannot be ques tioned. If he is wrong he can be contradicted. His recommendation that Great Britain should not miss trading opportunities in Russia deserves careful consideration. We know all the objections and difficulties, but here is a business man telling his fellow business men that big opportunities are being missed.'
Tam convinced as the result of fa recent visit to Moscow that some relaxation in the passport visa! restrictions would be advantageous tous and to Russia. We are mi informed about the conditions now prevailing, and it is important that the reports of our Labour depute. tions should be supplemented by. others likely t> command wider acceptance. If some of our leading] commercial, industrial and financial men were enabled to go to Moscow' and other parts of Russia, T should be surprised if they did not return with other views than those now] generally entertained about _the ability of closer business relations between the two countries.
Moscow's Comely Appearance I hold no for the Soviet Administration, but I feel bound to ay that the state of Moscow is very creditable to the authorities. Perfect order prevails, and visitors need not fear disturbances or anticipate other than most courteous tweetment. The people in the main fare well clad, and appear to be well fed and contented. T saw n9 such misery and degradation as was sadly evident in St. Petersburg] Curing a visit in 1910, and should say that the masses at feast have joe over the improve-of. Tam afraid, however, that the former middle and upper-class people are still ering, but was told there recently been more readiness to] recognize their ability to render useful service to the community.
The houses and other buildings are painted throughout in quiet shades id colours used in decorating the churches.
As far as could be seen the occupants of the larger houses are comfortably billetted, but probably the former owners might not be pleased if they could see the internal condition of their eld homes.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.