Page:George Pitt-Rivers - The World Significance of the Russian Revolution (1920).pdf/32

 16 the Whites were "anti"-Tzarist and "anti"-Bolshevist. The Russian people he thought "may not have learned what they want," he, at any rate, would "attach no importance to the oft-expressed wish of the peasantry to have a Tzar back." It is not, of course, to be expected that anyone who has no more definite ideas than that he is "thoroughly democratic" would attach any importance to any positive aspirations! The peasantry, he says, have certainly learned that they do not want "Bolshevism," so this is the "positive policy" which, he claims, all Russian parties except extreme monarchists and Bolsheviks wish for instead: they are contained in the following seven "original aims" of the "Centre Party."

(1) Complete transference of the land to the peasantry. (This was one of the first cries the Bolsheviks thought of.)

(2) Separation of Church and State. (The Bolsheviks likewise did this long ago.)

(3) Acceptance of the main principles of Bolshevist development of education. (Even an "anti"-party might have thought of something more original!)

(4) Acceptance of the main principles of Bolshevist marriage law. (An equally candid confession!)

(5) Restoration to workmen of effective measure of control in factories. (Same comment as No. 1.)

(6) Reform of laws of justice on a popular basis. (Obviously much easier than to promise efficiency and equity, and it needs no definition!)

(7) Convocation at earliest moment of a national assembly. (A grand excuse for having no policy or principles of their own!)