Page:Emile Vandervelde - Three Aspects of the Russian Revolution - tr. Jean Elmslie Henderson Findlay (1918).djvu/71

 One can easily imagine the consternation of the unfortunate administrative council at these simple words. They tried in vain to remonstrate, pointing out that the capital of the company was far below the sum required; that, in any case, they could not procure in twenty-four hours such an enormous ransom; and, finally, that if they were locked up they could not even take the preliminary steps necessary to obtain the sum. The reply was that the Company's safe was in the very room where they were sitting, that the directors had the key of it, and that, moreover, it was their business to deal with all financial matters. Then they were left to their own thoughts. Fortunately, however, they were able to inform the Ministry of Labour of their predicament. The Ministry had no material force at its disposal, and had the workmen persisted in their intention it is difficult to see how the Government could have prevented them from carrying out their plan. The Minister, however, assembled the delegates, and a few minutes' conversation sufficed to make them realize the absurdity of their demand and the impropriety of the