Page:The Proletarian Revolution in Russia - Lenin, Trotsky and Chicherin - ed. Louis C. Fraina (1918).djvu/209

 A perfect appreciation of these latest diplomatic notes of the Tereschenko-Tseretelli combination we shall find in a place where we might at first not expect to find it, namely, in L'Entente, a newspaper published in French in Petrograd, and the organ of those very Allies to whom Tereschenko and Chernov swear an "unfaltering allegiance." "We readily admit," says this paper, "that in diplomatic circles the appearance of this note was awaited with a certain concern." … In fact it is not easy, as this official organ admits, to find a formulation of the conflicting aims of the Allies. "As far as Russia is concerned, particularly, the position of the Provisional Government was rather delicate and full of danger. On the one hand, it was necessary to reckon with the standpoint of the Council of Workers' and Soldiers' Delegates, and, as far as possible, to represent this standpoint: on the other hand, it was necessary to handle with kid gloves the international relations and the friendly powers, upon whom it was impossible to force the decision of the Council."

"And the Provisional Government has come out of this quandary shining and stainless." …

In the document before us, therefore, we have the main points of the revolutionary catechism set down, registered and sealed with the authority of the Provisional Government. There is no lack of any essential. All the lovely dreams, all the fine words of the dictionary, are properly mobilized. You will find there equality, liberty and justice in international relations—Donc tout y est—at least in words. The reddest of the comrades can make no reply; from this quarter the Provisional Government has nothing to fear. …

"But—how about the Allies?" asks L'Entente, "With the aid of close study and reading between the lines (!), with the aid of good will and friendship for the young Russian democracy, the; Allies will be able to find at various points in the note … certain pleasant words which are of a nature to reassure their somewhat waning confidence. They well know that the position of the Pro-