The main questions of interest, to friends and enemies of the Revolution alike, are these: First, how far was the Revolution the result of the War and how far was the struggle for peace which followed the Revolution inherent in it? In other words, did the peace policy of the revolutionary democracy express the true purpose of Russia at the time; or were the Soviets, with all that they stand for, really alien to the people and to the Revolution? Secondly, was the disintegration of Russia and the dissolution of the Russian Army inevitable, or was Russia torn to pieces and made helpless by the very acts of the leaders of the Revolution?
I do not think I am far wrong in thus reducing all the bitter controversy which has raged around the Revolution to these two single questions.
St. John's Wood, March 21, 1918.
