The other letter is by Boris Savinkov, Kerensky's Minister of War,
and for many years a leader in the terrorist wing of the Social
Revolutionary Party. It was published last April in the Russky
Viedomosti. The Lenine Government promptly suppressed it and
confiscated the paper, but Mr. Bernstein succeeded in smuggling a copy
out of Russia. It reads as follows:
We are vibrating with indignation at the Bolshevist decrees
and their ignominious peace. We feel ourselves humiliated and
disgraced. We are mercilessly handed over "Kamerad" to any one.
Nevertheless, we are doing nothing, because we do not even venture
to say, "God be praised, it was not we but our neighbor who was
shot." Yet we shall never forget that Lenine, Nathanson and
company arrived in Russia via Berlin. The German Government helped
them. The gift demands a gift in return. Lenine and his satellites
have repaid Germany handsomely, first through the subsidized
journal Pravda, next by the naked front, then by Brest-Litovsk,
and finally by an incredible peace.
What have they done with my Russia? It is necessary to be a
fanatic or a paid agent to be able seriously to maintain that
the international proletariat would help us. Only criminals and
lunatics could base a political computation upon such support
when Lenine and his co-adjutors entirely destroyed Russia's
former means and power. The Germans lifted the mailed fist and
Lenine instantly gave way, but others commenced howling about the
necessity to defend the fatherland, not only my Russia, but the
newly invented fatherland. Who can believe the men who destroyed
the army and declared that the idea of fatherland is a prejudice?
Who can believe that they would defend Russia? They are impotent.
Nor do I believe that they are sincere. The Soviet admitted that
the declaration of Lenine was right that we Russians ought to put
up with the loss of Finland, Esthonia, Livonia, Courland, White
Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine, and part of the Caucasus districts.
The rights of Russia exist no longer. There are only separated
towns and villages, economically dependent upon foreigners. The
position of Russia is like that of Poland after the partition. Has
not William realized his dream? Have not the People's Commissaries
deserved the Iron Cross?
The Bolsheviki have served Germany and serve Germany still.
It is no secret that Russia is covered with a net of German
organizations, and that the Russians who are wishing for the
restoration of the monarchy are working hand in hand with the
Germans. It is no secret that many Russians dream of the day on
which the Germans will enter Petrograd and German policemen appear
in the Nevsky Prospekt. They prefer the devil himself to the
Bolsheviki. What have they done with my Russia?
The Bolsheviki are our national misfortune, but Russia must
be saved, not by our enemies, not by German bayonets, but by
ourselves. We Russians must again be masters of Russia. It must
never be said that we are weak without the imperial assistance of
William and are unable to organize a State. It was not to reach
this goal that we sacrificed streams of Russian blood throughout
three years, nor was it in order to follow the program of the
Bolsheviki or to stretch out our hand toward the enemy. As sure as
it is treason against Russia to compromise with the Bolsheviki, so
sure is the agreement with Germany under which we are now living
worse treason against Russia. We must not forget that the Russian
Nation does not die. Sooner or later it will dawn upon the people
of Russia what my Russia ought to be, and the treason will never
be pardoned. It is an aberration to believe that Nicholas will be
able to return. But when will my Russia stand forth again vigorous
and free? I only know one thing. I learned when young: Through
work and fight thou shalt win thy right. We must work and fight
against the Germans and the Bolsheviki.
After the revolution of March, 1917, had achieved what terrorism had
been powerless to accomplish, M. Savinkov threw himself heart and soul
into the task of saving the army. He realized more clearly than did any
of his revolutionary associates, Kerensky included, that a surrender to
the Germans with the Socialists in power would inevitably compromise
the Socialist cause in Russia. As Chief Commissioner of the Coalition
Government with the armies of the southwestern front he strongly
supported General Korniloff in taking stern measures to restore
discipline. Kerensky quarreled with Savinkov because the latter,
becoming Minister of War, continued to support General Korniloff.
Savinkov is a comparatively young man, of great determination and
resource. He is well known as a writer.