270 THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE PEACE ch.

of Nations would contribute according to their means,it might be practicable to base upon it a generalreorganisation of the currency.

In this manner Europe might be equipped withthe minimum amount of liquid resources necessary torevive her hopes, to renew her economic organisation,and to enable her great intrinsic wealth to functionfor the benefit of her workers. It is useless at thepresent time to elaborate such schemes in furtherdetail. A great change is necessary in public opinionbefore the proposals of this chapter can enter theregion of practical politics, and we must await theprogress of events as patiently as we can.

4. Tlie Relations of Central Europe to Russia

I have said very little of Russia in this book.The broad character of the situation there needs noemphasis, and of the details we know almost nothingauthentic. But in a discussion as to how theeconomic situation of Europe can be restored thereare one or two aspects of the Russian question whichare vitally important.

From the military point of view an ultimate unionof forces between Russia and Germany is greatlyfeared in some quarters. This would be much morelikely to take place in the event of reactionary move-ments being successful in each of the two countries,whereas an effective unity of purpose between Lenin and the present essentially middle-class Government