This Government not disposed as yet to recognize any independent governments until the will of Russian people has been more definitely expressed in this general subject.
The huge social shift that has taken place between the February and October revolutions, the complete revolution in thought and ideas, suggesting the possibility of making wilful changes to life as one had previously planned it, and bringing one into an unexpected sense of close communion with little-known and surprising areas of art (Japan, Jacques Callot, Hogarth, Goya) - all this pushes and drives one to test oneself in new directions. So far, only on paper, in plans and in dreams.
I received an anonymous letter about the title of my picture “Slaves of Imperialism”. The postcard reads “I went to an exhibition of the Peredvizhniki yesterday and saw your “Slaves of Imperialism” and was amazed at the ridiculous title. You were a great artist in the past, and as an old man you are still making yourself heard. But why put on airs and indulge in such foolery in naming your picture? It makes one ashamed for “Repin” and for “Russian art” - is Russian art, now, too the puppet of the revolution? We are deeply troubled and saddened by your behaviour. It is like the rouge covering the pale face of the heroine in Kuprin’s “The Pit”. Time to hold your tongue, old man.”
The effect of Bolshevism as a revolutionary hope is greater outside Russia than within the Soviet Republic. Grim realities have done much to kill hope among those who are subject to the dictatorship of Moscow.
The Central Executive Committee are crocodiles with extraordinary minds. They have a firm policy: "down with the war", "down with private property", "bust all inner opposition." They want to strike an immediate peace treaty with the external enemy and start a merciless war on landlords, capitalists, and reactionists. All the terms have very broad definitions. Quite poor people, who had small savings or owned a house, were considered to be bourgeoisie. Left-wing Socialist Revolutionaries were labeled reactionists. While he waited for more detailed accords, Lenin called the masses to "rob what was robbed." Peasants were encouraged to kill landlords and take their belongings.
I had a letter today from one of our mayors at home, calling my attention to the fact that disaster due to lack of foodstuffs is now imminent. I immediately telegraphed the Emperor as follows: See more