Bolsheviki in Russia are trying now to bring about, is doomed in Russia to complete failure.  The economic conditions in Russia have not even approximately reached a stage to make an economic revolution possible, and the low grade of education, as well as the unsteady character of the Russian people, makes it still more impossible.

It is true that magnificent theories and plans have been laid here, but their putting into practice is altogether impossible, principally because of the following reasons:  The whole propertied class—­which here in Russia, where small property ownership mainly prevails, is very numerous—­is opposing and obstructing; technically trained people and specialists necessary in the industries are obstructing; local committees and sub-organs make all systematic action impossible, as they in their respective fields determine things quite autocratically and make everything unsuccessful which should be based on a strong, coherent, and in every respect minutely conceived system as a social production should be based.  But even if all these, in themselves unsurmountable obstacles, could be made away with, there remains still the worst one—­and that is the workers themselves.

It is already clear that in the face of such economic conditions the whole social order has been upset.  Naturally only a small part of the people will remain backing such an order.  The whole propertied class belongs to the opponents of the government, including the petty bourgeoisie, the craftsmen, the small merchants, the profiteers.  The whole Intellectual class and a great part of the workers are also opposing the government.  In comparison with the entire population only a small minority supports the government, and, what is worse to the supporters of the government, are rallying all the hooligans, robbers, and others to whom this period of confusion promises a good chance of individual action.  It is also clear that such a regime cannot stay but with the help of a stern terror.  But, on the other hand, the longer the terror continues the more disagreeable and hated it becomes.  Even a great part of those who from the beginning could stay with the government and who still are sincere Social Democrats, having seen all this chaos, begin to step aside, or to ally themselves with those openly opposing the government.  Naturally, as time goes by, there remains only the worst and the most demoralized element.  Terror, arbitrary rule, and open brigandage become more and more usual, and the government is not able at all to prevent it.  And the outcome is clearly to be foreseen—­the unavoidable failure of all this magnificently planned system.

And what will be the outcome of that?  My conviction is that as soon as possible we should turn toward the other road—­the road of united action.  I have seen, and I am convinced that the majority of the Russian people is fundamentally democratic and whole-heartedly detests a reinstitution