5 + 

Ridicule of the New Regime + 

From Drug Naroda (Menshevik), November 18th: + 

“The story of the ‘immediate peace’ of the Bolsheviki reminds us of a joyous moving-picture film.⁠ ⁠… Neratov runs⁠—Trotsky pursues; Neratov climbs a wall, Trotsky too; Neratov dives into the water⁠—Trotsky follows; Neratov climbs onto the roof⁠—Trotsky right behind him; Neratov hides under the bed⁠—and Trotsky has him! He has him! Naturally, peace is immediately signed.⁠ ⁠… + 

“All is empty and silent at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The couriers are respectful, but their faces wear a caustic expression.⁠ ⁠… + 

“How about arresting an ambassador and signing an armistice or a Peace Treaty with him? But they are strange folk, these ambassadors. They keep silent just as if they had heard nothing. Hola, hola, England, France, Germany! We have signed an armistice with you! Is it possible that you know nothing about it? Nevertheless, it has been published in all the papers and posted on all the walls. On a Bolshevik’s word of honour, Peace has been signed. We’re not asking much of you; you just have to write two words.⁠ ⁠… + 

“The ambassadors remain silent. The Powers remain silent. All is empty and silent in the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. + 

“ ‘Listen,’ says Robespierre-Trotsky to his assistant Marat-Uritzky, ‘run over to the British Ambassador’s, tell him we’re proposing peace!’ + 

“ ‘Go yourself,’ says Marat-Uritzky. ‘He’s not receiving.’ + 

“ ‘Telephone him, then.’ + 

“ ‘I’ve tried. The receiver’s off the hook.’ + 

“ ‘Send him a telegram.’ + 

“ ‘I did.’ + 

“ ‘Well, with what result?’ + 

“Marat-Uritzky sighs and does not answer. Robespierre-Trotsky spits furiously into the corner.⁠ ⁠… + 

“ ‘Listen, Marat,’ recommences Trotsky, after a moment. ‘We must absolutely show that we’re conducting an active foreign policy. How can we do that?’ + 

“ ‘Launch another decree about arresting Neratov,’ answers Uritzky, with a profound air. + 

“ ‘Marat, you’re a blockhead!’ cries Trotsky. All of a sudden he arises, terrible and majestic, looking at this moment like Robespierre. + 

“ ‘Write, Uritzky!’ he says with severity. ‘Write a letter to the British ambassador, a registered letter with receipt demanded. Write! I also will write! The peoples of the world await an immediate peace!’ + 

“In the enormous and empty Ministry of Foreign Affairs are to be heard only the sound of two typewriters. With his own hands Trotsky is conducting an active foreign policy.⁠ ⁠…” + 