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102 PROBLEMS CONFRONTING RUSSIA
and having a good knowledge of the Russian language as
well as the adaptability to suit themselves to their
surroundings. These representatives should aim at getting into
close touch with the people with whom they hope to do
business, and at the same time to study carefully the local
market and its particular requirements. Such men should
find no difficulty in becoming well acquainted with Russian
life and custom, so that a sympathetic relationship should
be soon eatablished in their business circle, ever growing
wider and wider.
The language question should not present any difficulty.
In Russia a series of centres have been established where
the English language, life, and literature are studied. The
same has been done in Great Britain with regard to the
Russian language, life, and literature. The result of these
mutual efforts to establish a closer relationship between the
two countries have been most gratifying. However, the
collapse of Russia has had a deterrent effect upon this
movement. But Russia’s temporary weakness should not
affect the importance of learning the Russian language.
Without the necessary study of that language, and acquiring
the ability to converse and write in it, it is impossible to
get into intimate touch with Russian life, understand the
Russian character and things Russian, and to choose a line
of action conducive to the exchange of intellectual and
commercial values. It is of no use to scoff at the
commercial success of the Germans in Russia if Englishmen
are not prepared to attain the same linguistic knowledge
which is one of the guarantees of that success.
To those whose knowledge of the Russian market is
limited, it is of importance to bear in mind that the peasants
have not much capital at their disposal. The buying
capacity of the rouble has, as already mentioned, fallen to
an unprecedented low level, and the rate of exchange of
the Russian currency is alarmingly depressed, making it
more difficult than ever for the Russian buyer to provide
himself with articles for which he has to pay the
corresponding price in British currency. Accordingly, there should
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