Page:René Marchand - Why I Side with the Social Revolution (1920).pdf/39

 Very soon the idea of intervention against the Germans, without the help of the Bolsheviks, got the upper hand both at the Consulate and in the propaganda, and after the return of M. Noulens to Russia, this idea quickly converted itself at Vologda into the idea of intervention against the Germans but with the purpose of first overthrowing the Bolsheviks. I remembre how irritated M. Noulens was against Bolshevism: one could very easily perceive in this irritation a personal sentiment of wounded pride. It was evident that our ambassador, who had been guided by trivialities and by paltry, futile incidents connected with his journey to Russia, much more than by political considerations, had returned, not with the intention of studying events, of informniginforming [sic] himself of the situation, but with a definite line of conduct mapped out in advance. „Since the Signing of the Brest Treaty, the bolsheviks have become the open allies of the Germans: we must treat them as enemies“ Further the irritation of our ambassador did not limit itself to Bolshevism but applied to the whole of Russia. On the one hand, he instructed our Consul-General to inform him of the state of mind of the political groups which had „remaindremained [sic] our friends“, whilst on the other hand, he declared that „the opinions of the Russians was of absolutely no importance whatever“ and that the only thing that counted at present were our own intentions. „Tell them that intervention has already been decided upon audand [sic] will take place whether they like if or not“, „It has been recognised as necessary to re-establish the eastern front, and it will be re-established“. I accompanied M. Grenard upon his first visit