New-York tribune., 1918-02-12
rh;ef of Economic Mission
aRoars" When Called
"Comrade"
Diners Shun Germans
so,.heviki Are Obsequious,
However, to Domineering
Teuton Officers
The NcU York Tribwne
Foreiun Press Bureaw


Foreign Press Bareaw
Tho members of the German Eco
..u;e Mission in Petrograd were ex-
...t.d to be insolent, but they did
rorse. They treated the representa-
.,.. Of the Russians, sent to receive
nam. like veritable servants, says Paul
rro. correspondent at Petrograd for
srA Journal" of Paris. Hardly were
sbey on Russian soil. when they be-
van to protest. Instead of finding at
the railroad station in Petrograd the
reception committee they had expected
there were only some sailors and men,
hers Of the Red Guard, who were po-
lite enough but very familiar.
The Germans did not know how to
secept the familiarity in the same
spirit and, when the Russians began
TO call the Germans "comrade," the
chief Of the mission roared with such
pain that the Red Guard we're highly
amused and playfully initiated them.
They called the roar the salute of the
Prussian to the new Russia.
At the hotel to which they first went
the Germans had an equally unpleasant
time. The servants did not feel like
changing the habits they had acquired
during their months of freedom and
when the Germans began shouting or
ders and ringing bells. the servants
soon showed their dislike. The Ger
mans had to change their hotel, but
instead Of a change Of manners, they
were forced to get used to what they
found.
Other Guests Ousted
So they went to the Smolny Insti-
tute. There was great stir there,
and all the messengers were sent in
haste to find quarters for the Germans.
The occupants cf two floors in two of
the largest hotels in the rue Gogol
were thrown out, and Admiral Count
Kaiserling and his suite took their
places. Then the Germans wanted to
be saluted by the sailors, who served
as q guard of honor But the sailors
refused, and the soldier guard was so
impudent that the Germans asked to
have them withdrawn.
The next thing was a demand for
wine and spirits. They telephoned
more than ten times to the Foreign
Affairs Ministry before they got, at
last, some very poor beer. They insisted
on wines and spirits. until an under
secretary tmidly informed them that
the consumption of alcohol was for
hidden in Russia.
replied. eve will telephone to
Trotzkv."
1t must be supposed that their de-
mands were satisfied. for on New
Years Eve they made so much noise
in the hotel that a secretary was sent
from the Foreign Office to stop the
scandal.
They could not conceal their iov in
the restaurants when they saw the list
of meats they had to choose from
They did not eat They devoured.
Two of them spent 500 francs for one
dinner.
Talk in German Stopped
If the Germans were pleased with the |
meat. iney were not SO we'll pleased |
with the way they were received in
the restaurants. Two of them in civil
costume went into one of the principal
hotels and began talking in German.
They talked loud and attracted a good
deal of attention. Soon there were
murmurs. The Germans pretended not
to hear. But the manager of the
restaurant said to them:
1t Is not permitted to speak German
mere. II you intend to keep on talking
German ! will have to ask you to
leave"
The Germans continued their con-
versation in bad French
The same day two German officers in
iuli uniform went to one of the big
hotels on the Nevsky Prospect at tea
tlme; The tea room was full of fash
1onable people, all of whom promptly
left as soon as the Germans entered the
1oom In another restaurant all the
patrons stopped talking as soon as
snree Germans in uniform entered.
Inc Inc band struck up the "Marseillaise,"
me ue diners stood up and sang and the
uermans beat hasty retreat.
lrotzky invited the members of the
mission to performance at the The.
atre Marie. putting the imperial box at
.aelr disposal, but the people learned
OF the affair and preparations were |
made Tor a special reception for the !
Germans. ''Ae
Invitation Rescinded
Irotzky got wind of what was going
Germans. ' '''''"''o" 10 'ne
., ihese successive humiliations caused |
cue uermans to stop wearing their uni
;orms and appear as little as possible
Al puollc: They said they were greatly
tsStprlsed ~ at their reception. But If |
sas people were against them there was
. .aecompense, for the Bolsheviki were
aefe aSie than obsequious. At the Foreign
mnalrs Office they were at home. Thev
esncumbered the corridors all day. de-
LANDING favors for the German and |
"as9r1an aus prisoners of war, and Lenine
s"u irotzky found it impossible to .
'"esfy their opportunities.