Joffe does not deny that the process would involve civil war throughout the world to begin with, but he believes that such a war, as realising the ideals of humanity, would be justified, and its end worth all it would cost.

I contented myself with telling him that he must let Russia give proof that Bolshevism was the way to a happier age; when he had shown this to be so, the rest of the world would be won over to his ideals.

But until his theory had been proved by example he would hardly succeed in convincing people generally to adopt his views.

We were ready to conclude a general peace without indemnities or annexations, and were thoroughly agreed to leave the development of affairs in Russia thereafter to the judgment of the Russian Government itself.

We should also be willing to learn something from Russia, and if his revolution succeeded he would force Europe to follow him, whether we would or not.