Russian trade of each such country should simi-
larly pass. Krasin said, "Of course that would
be preferable, but only in the case of socialist
countries. As things are now it would be very
much to our disadvantage. It is better for us to
deal with individual capitalists than with a ring.
The formation of a committee in England, for
example, with a monopoly of trade with Russia,
would have the effect of raising prices against us,
since we could no longer go from a dear shop to
a cheaper one. Besides, as socialists we naturally
wish to do nothing to help in the trustification of
English manufacturers."

He recognized that foreign trade on any large
scale was impossible until their transport had
been improved. Russia proposed to do her pay-
ing in raw material, in flax, timber, etc., in ma-
terials of which she had great quantities although
she could not bring them to the ports until her
transport should be restored. It would, there-
fore, be in the foreigner's own interests to help
them in this matter. He added that they were
confident that in the long run they could, without
foreign help, so far restore their transport as to

-154-