"All is empty and silent at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The
couriers are respectful, but their faces wear a caustic expression….
"How about arresting an ambassador and signing an armistice or a
Peace Treaty with him? But they are strange folk, these ambassadors.
They keep silent just as if they had heard nothing. Hola, hola,
England, France, Germany! We have signed an armistice with you! Is it
possible that you know nothing about it? Nevertheless, it has been
published in all the papers and posted on all the walls. On a
Bolshevik's word of honour, Peace has been signed. We're not asking
much of you; you just have to write two words….
"The ambassadors remain silent. The Powers remain silent. All is
empty and silent in the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
"'Listen,' says Robespierre-Trotzky to his assistant Marat-Uritzky,
'run over to the British Ambassador's, tell him we're proposing
peace!'
"'Go yourself,' says Marat-Uritzky. 'He's not receiving.'
"'Telephone him, then.'
"'I've tried. The receiver's off the hook.'
"'Send him a telegram.'
"'I did.'
"'Well, with what result?'
"Marat-Uritzky sighs and does not answer. Robespierre-Trotzky spits
furiously into the corner….
"'Listen, Marat,' recommences Trotzky, after a moment. 'We must
absolutely show that we're conducting an active foreign policy. How
can we do that?'
"'Launch another decree about arresting Neratov,' answers Uritzky,
with a profound air.
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