THE PRINKIPO CONFERENCE.
ITO roe EDITOR or ens " SPECTSPOS."1 Sts,—It is perfectly amazing to find the Spectator supporting the proposal that decent Russians should meet the Bolsheviks at a council table. Would you ask a householder to meet in friendly conference a gang of burglars who had broken into his house, murdered come of his family, and raviehed his daughters? What would be thought of a Government who compelled the householder to take part in such a conference? What difference is there between the Bolsheviks and such a gang of burglars, or between decent Russians and the house- holder? It seems to me a grass insult to all our friends in Russia, far worse than if they (the Bolsheviks) had been in- vited to Paris, for it is as much as to say: "Of course, we could not sit at the same table with Bolshevik, but they are good enough company for you "; and it is, besides, holding out the hand of fellowship to these scoundrels who are doing moat to destroy civilisation. No wonder that even Justice soya: "Are Mr. Lloyd George's colleagues mad?" and that Count de Merindol says such a plan is calculated " to throw all Russia into the arms of Germany." What else can Russia do when so shamelessly deserted and instilled by her supposed
friends?—I am, Sir, fie., J. S. N. Rocas. Kincora, Lyme Reale, Dorset.
[Our correspondent misunderstands our position. Before the Prinkipo Conference was decided upon we argued strongly against the idea of recognizing the Russian Bolsheviks. Our correspondent's opinion about the Bolsheviks is also ours. Presi- dent Wilson refused to treat with unreformed Germany, and for the same reason we should have preferred not to treat with the Bolsheviks. But when Mr. Wilson and Mr. Lloyd George carried M. Clemenceau with them in the scheme for the Prinkipo meeting, we considered that nothing remained for us to say, except that we earnestly hoped the plan would succeed, without really believing that the Bolshevik tiger would perform the services expected of him. If the representatives of the reputable Russian groups refuse to sit down with the tiger they will have every right on their side.—Ee. Spectator.]
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