THE TESTIMONY OF MONSIEUR HERRIOT 227
But what did the es Prime Minister and skilled admini-
strator do? The report published in Prazda on September 27
is so characteristic of the activities of M. Herriot and his suite,
and throws so much light on the private journeys of European
statesmen in their search for the truth in distant parts, that I
quote it at length.
"This morning M. Herriot arrived at Kiev, accompanied by
his secretary Serlen, and the deputies Julien and Marcel Ray,
former chefs de cabinet of the ex Prime Minister. M. Alfan,
the French Ambassador, also arrived. They were accompanied
by Helfand;1 the deputy president of the Ukrainian Chamber of
Commerce, Velitchko; the representative of the Petit Pansier^
Lucien; the special correspondent of Izvestia, Gari; and the
special correspondent of the Tass agency. At the station the
guests were met by the president of the regional Ispolkom,
Vassilenko, the deputy president of the Gorsoviet [municipal
soviet]^ the agent of the Narkomindel [foreign Commissariat],
Shenshev, and representatives of the Moscow and the local
press. After an exchange of greetings M. Herriot and his
companions proceeded to their hotel, and after a brief rest
went on to the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences."
This was the second grand deception. After the achievements
of Ukrainian agriculture, the visitors are now presented* in
accordance with Moscow's plan, with evidence of the care
devoted to Ukrainian culture and science. The report says:
<cOn the way to the Academy M. Herriot expressed the wish
to visit St. Sophia's, with its historically valuable mosaics.2
M. Herriot was then received at the Ukrainian Academy of
Sciences by a number of members headed by the president
Palladin5 who explained the work of the various departments*
A long stay was made at the Geological Museum, with its many
valuable exhibits. Later the Ukrainian model town was visited,
1 A former official of the Ogpu well known for his activities.
* This interest in Tsarist church art had presumably aot been anticipated
in the programme \ hence the Izvestia report ascribed this whim to tbe
historical importance of the mosaics.