Page:Albert Rhys Williams - Through the Russian Revolution (1921).djvu/124

90 always was Russia's best friend," say the bourgeoisie. "It may rid us of this cursed Revolution."

Winter, sweeping down out of the North, hailed by the privileged, brings terror to the suffering masses. As the mercury drops toward zero, the prices of food and fuel go soaring up. The bread ration grows shorter. The queues of shivering women standing all night in the icy streets grow longer. Lockouts and strikes add to the millions of workless. The rancor in the hearts of the masses flares out in bitter speeches like this from a Viborg workingman:

"Patience, patience, they are always counselling us. But what have they done to make us patient? Has Kerensky given us more to eat than the Czar? More words and promises—yes ! But not more food. All night long we wait in the lines for shoes and bread and meat, while, like fools, we write Liberty on our banners. The only liberty we have is the same old liberty to slave and starve."

It is a sorry showing after eight months of pleading and parading thru the streets. All they have got are lame feet, aching arms, and the privilege of starving and freezing in the presence of mocking red banners: ''"Land to the Peasants!" "Factories to the Workers!" "Peace to all the World!"''

But no longer do they carry their red banners thru the streets. They are done with appealing and