Page:Through Bolshevik Russia - Snowden - 1920.djvu/58

 it does all that is best and finest in the Communist idea: "We are working for the children, for the future, for humanity." This is a much bigger conception than the "dictatorship of the proletariat," which is a very big and very important section, but only a section of "humanity."

As we entered the long passage which led to this dining-hall we heard in the distance the strains of "The Internationalé." Alas, I thought, we are guilty of the rudeness of being late. Not at all! This was simply the orchestra getting itself into form. As we entered, it burst forth again with joyful hilarity. We stood by our seats till the end, and then proceeded to talk to our neighbours. For the third time the band broke into the strain. Some members of our party had strolled in late. It was essential that they should have a royal reception also. We settled down once more. Suddenly everybody started to his feet again. It was "The Internationalé" for the fifth time, sung to welcome the President of the Soviet to his chair. Then came the food, and, at intervals, the speeches. After each speech came "The Internationalé," and whatever we were doing, eating or speaking, it had to cease until the National Anthem of the world-proletariat, if I may so describe it, had been sung. And a curiously amusing feature of this singing was, that it indicated the degree of approval conferred upon the