»',' ,*■ T, * m ,m **' ■l""-— ■ ■ «l —— '®!jj> ||ximhmrn THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1916. THE. NEW RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2756, 27 April 1916, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 1916. THE NEW RUSSIA

■-*—. In; the midst of this great war a new Russia is arising. The tremendous struggle ; in which the nation is . engaged has forced all sections of the people to realise- the need for unity and the way is being prepared for the inauguration of far-reaching political reforms after, the conflict is over. Recent English papers contain some very interesting references to the domestic affairs of Russia and to efforts which are being made to spread accurate knowledge of Russia and the Russians among the British public. The meeting of the Duma towards the end of February was, from more than one point of view, an exceedingly important event. A London paper tells us that it will probably prove, in the long.run, even more important than the capture of Erzerum. The growth of the power of the Duma has always been regarded with much disfavour with those "intellectuals" . who admire Prussian methods of go\crnmcntand have endeavoured to thwart the natural 'political evolution of Russia. These people who look with contempt upon the Duma are the.class which also dislikes Britain and nil things British. Bearing tho33 facts in mind one can easily understand why M. Nabokoff, a Russian journalist—one of a party that recently visited England —described the reassembling of tho Duma as "a most significant event," and asserted that it would be a weighty contribution to the hopes entertained of mutual, understanding, and lasting,friendship between Britain and Russia. He went on to explain that it was one of tho immediate consequences of the war that the Duma's.existence had been strengthened, and its absolute necessity for the welfare of the Russian people revealed to the dullest mind. "Made in Germany" theories of absolutism had to disappear. The Tsar had never previously attended the opening of the Duma. The precedent he created evoked most enthusiastic demonstrations of satisfaction, and loyalty. The Times correspondent states that his presence was the most fitting j

refutation of.the pernicious rumours sedulously fostered by German agents that between the national representatives and tho Throne stood an impalpable shadow. The Tsar's action is spoken of as "a step of great resolution and tremendous significance.". He gave a brief, address without notes. He said be was glad to find himself among his people in the auspicious hour of the glorious victory that had just crowned Russian arms in the Caucasus. _ Only through harmonious co-operation between the Emperor and his subjects could final victory be achieved. He trusted that the responsible labours of the Duma would be attended by the fullest measure of suocess. The .Tsar spoke with emotion and his words of goodwill and appeal for unity were greeted with a great outburst of cheering. tfhose who have made a special study of Russian politics and who understand tho mind of ( the Russian people tell us that the current is setting strongly in .the direction of constitutional reform. M. Naiiokoff declares that the Tsar's visit to tho Duma and his speech have "confirmed unwritten, but morally binding, guarantees." The people, of Russia (he says) undoubtedly have _ before them a- period of reconstruction and reform. The reactionaries had been busily engaged in placing obstacles in the way of the reassembling of the Duma, and had done their utmost to/, commend their obstructionist policy to the Tsah. The failure of tLjir schemes was complete. Instead of allowing himself to be captured by the party of reaction the Emperor made a fresh step ' forward in the direction of political progress. The Duma gave emphatic expression to its determination to continue the war until the enemy had been thoroughly conquered, and M. Sazonoff,_ the Foreign Minister, referred to the friendly relations that had been established between Britain and Russia. He believed that they would be of great benefit to both countries— especially to Russia. Since the war began- the British public have learned a good deal about Russia, and the more they know about the character of the Russian people 'the more they admire it. As the late Lord Burnkam reinanCe'd at a dinner given to the Russian journalists, "the soul of England is warm towards Russia,", and it will be warmer still,"in the world to como" —in the new and better world that will come into being after the baneful influence of Prussian militarism Has been finally This desire for more cordial relationships has taken a very useful form in the' establishment of a lectureship in Russian in Sheffield University, which-Dr. Fisher, the distinguished historian, attributes to a keen and general wish of that great business .community to mark in some practical way its admiration .for the heroism of the Russian armies, and its sense of the value and importance of the Russian connection for. British security and commerce. Better acquaintance with the history and aspirations of Russia is removing, suspicion and prejudice. There is a legend about a will of Peter tee Great in favour of a march on India. A thorough search was recently made for this testament, but no such document lias been found, and a leading Russian journalist unhesitatingly declares that Peter never "ucqueafched_ such a senseless legacy to his .people." He says that Russians who dream of the conquest of India can only be found in a madhouse. Europe owes a great debt of gratitude' to Russia for blocking, the path of the barbarian invaders from tho oast. British people have been slow to acknowledge this debt, but their eyes ■ have- now been opened, and it. is to be hoped that they will soon get rid of the last remnants of what the late Mr. Stead has described as' "the strange and pestilent habit" of ignoring the great services which Russia has rendered to the cause of human progress-. .-