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The Dominion. FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1917. WAR AND POLITICS IN RUSSIA.

It is than, two months since a. poetical crisis in Russia, was' , eiy<-Ved, or seemed to bo, by the enforced resignation of the then Premier, "5L Boris Stuejlbk, and thtf- appointment in his place of Genkrai , . Trrpofp. Now it is announced that Gbnbraii Tkepokf, in his turn, has resigned, and that his place at tho head of. tho. Govo.rninont has been taken by Prince Gohtzini. These rapid changes afford plain enough proof that political conditions in Russia arc far {ran having reached a condition stable equilibrium. Before attempting to estimate their more Vjartic\\!ai ; significance, duo bead m»sl be given to what is known -about tho circumstances in which J they havo occurred. ' In an article

typical of much that appeared on tho siibject in the better-informed English" newspapers, tho . London , J)adij Chronicle said that tho fall jof PiiEMiun Stokmer was duo ,to criticism on two grounds—first, the disorganisation of the Russian food supply; secondly, tho alleged attempt to promote a patched-up peace. "Regarding tho latter criticism," tho Chronicle, added, """j can only way that, whatever tho lacts may have been, the history of the past ten days (the period of the crisis and of M. , -StUrmer's resignation) has shown''that tho Duma and tho .Army are entirely against sueh^a , peace; and have the same ' cjlViViction regarding the need of a ■flecisivo victory as England and France." In tho weeks that have elapsed since these remarks were penned no definite proof or disproof has been published of tho accusation that M. .Stubmek, who was Foreign Minister as well as Pre-' mier, was endeavouring to pave the way for u, separate peace between Bussia and the Teutonic Alliance, and was actually conducting negotiations with that end in view. It is noteworthy, however, that to tho last M. Sturmer vehemently denied the truth of this charged Interrogated shortly before his resignation, by the Mayor of Moscow, M. Stujijibk expressed amazement that his appointment as Foreign Minister should bo regarded as a symptom of the possibility of negotiations for a separate peace. He added:—- o i

I have- iilreiuly spoken definitely on this' iiibjcet, but 1 wish still further to strengthen public faith in tho fact that tire change in tho post of Foreign Ministor must not bo interpreted ns an attempt on tho part of Russia to swervo fiom Hint path on which she hns Intherto marched shoulder to shoulder with her Allies. I do not know by what method I can inspire the public with this conviction.

M. Stujimbr begged the Mayor to inform tho citizens of the ancient capital that Russia's conditions and treaties with the Allies remained unalterable; more than that, Russia would go still further, and deemed it her duty to carry out all thoso measures which had been planned by Great Britain with reference to Germany.

We must- conclude that if, as his critics and opponents alleged, M. Stijkaieji was intriguing with a view to a separate peace, he was conscous that his policy would not bear the light of day. The belief of his opponents that he was intriguing for a, separate peace was certainly the main factor contributing to his downfall, and the appointment of General Trepofk wal universally hailed as indicating Russia's determination tovigorously prosecute the war in loyal co-operation with her Allies. We must be cautious, however, of too closely identifying General Trepoff as an individual with the forces which compelled the resignation of his predecessor in office. About General Tkepovf personally not a great deal is fenown. He is described as an army man rather than a bureaucrat. Aa Minister of Communications he was tho administrator, responsible for the rapid completion of tho Munnan railway —an engineering achievement whicli enables Russia to make free use of an. ice-frco port on tho Arctic coast and facilitates tiio importation of munitions to such an oxtent as to add materially to her lighting power. During his term as Premier, brief as it was, General Thbpovf did much to justify tho hopes founded upon his appointment aud the circumstances in which it was made. An English writer said of the appointment that it symbolised the unity ofj tho Crown, tho people, the Government, imd tho Duma in a determination to carry the war to a victorious issue. Gknural Tkepoff's official iicls and statements woro wholly consistent with this estimate. It was during his term that tho Allies issued Note in whicli they asserted their firm and united determination to prosecute tho war as long as 'may bo necessary' to gain tho cuds for which they aw> fighting. It was General Trhpofk who made- known the agreement of I lie Allies in regard to Constantinople. and tho Turkish straits. As quoted by a, semi-official news agency, his

slalemi-ntHo tin; |.)uma on this subject whs in pun, jus follows. , —

\\u ■Ilii-ii (iiltw Tilrkuy's cntraiioo into llii) \vi\r) i-oiu'.hi.lixl m wilfi our Allies wlntli fsliiblislius in (In- iniisl ilnlinilo manner t)iq right ~f \\. m \.\ | 0 the straits jiml Omietinil.),w.l)li>. Jin'ssums should ktKw lot; what thoy aro shedding. bl.Oo.ilv ttlUl. ' m accord with ,„„■ MUssn, ;mWi»ieMnent of (.life iwconiPiit •f mm liwlay from t|,i s tribuiip, : \\ m . hm- ligroimiont nit this |t«|iyl U finnl,wbblished among the MUes, mul (here is no doubt that nflw H )io liiis bbtniiiod sov-uroigii possnsaioh of u fi-eo passage, into tho AtediteraiinoAn, llussia will grant frnwlom of navigation for tho K\imaniaii flns, wliitOl now, not for the first timo, floats, in Ultlo side by rUIo Willi the flag of Enssiii.

It has been, truly sivict that this announconjent-. had tremendous signifi«an,%. A war for Constantinople is ,<i holy, war for Russia; a war which almost all groups and factions in the Tsak's Empire can ho counted on to support. In particular, the announcement; wiia profoundly discouraging to the proGerman party in Russia, both because thft.cafl k> the conquest of Oonstantinop.io hna inspiring force, and because in such feelers as Germany Ms put forth for a separate peace with Eussia, it lias ttlw&ye been insisted that the latter country must resign its aspirations to sovereign possession of Oontantinople and the stM-iis. Nothing tonds moi'O t:o stamp M. Sturmer as reactSpnary in politics and .halfhearted in his attitude towards tho war than the fact that during his term no public li-nnotinccmont wae m&do of the Allied agreement that Russia should take Constantinople. GENimAL Trepoff's frank disclosure showed quite, clearly where ho stood in the war. $hc same is true of his statement to tho Duma that Russia proposed to reconstruct Poland by bringing together tho Prussian, •Bussiauj and Austria!} provinces of t!ia ancient kingdom in an autonomous State. This also was a direct blow at the party of reaction, which aims at a patched-up peace.

So much has happened during General Trepokf's term to emphasise tho defeat of the- reactionary and pro-German faction in Russia, and the determination of tho nation to prosecute the war in loyal cooperation with the Allies, that his resignation at this time raay be regarded as ominous, and as threatening 'a- return to tho conditions which it was hoped had terminated with tho downfall of M. Sturmeb. This would be a gloomy view, and there is no reason to suppose that it is correct. It is an elementary fact that the,rise and development of those forces' in Russia which ma-ko for national unity and concentration on. the war aro 'as far as possible from being measured by the r'iso and fall of Ministers, who are appointed or removed at the will of tho Tsajs. Since tho war began there has been a wonderful growth of liberal sentiment in the I)uina. To-day tho Progressive bloc which aims at'establishing tho principle of Ministerial responsibility to the peoplo's -representatives, and at tho same time stands for the prosecution of the war to a, victorious conclusion, includes nine of the fourteen political groups in the Duma, and nearly three-quarters of its numerical strength. Election to tho Duma is indirect and on a rostricted franchise, but tho Progressive bloc is supported by the powerful influence of the Union of Zemstvos, and th,e Union of Municipalities, great popular bodies which the bureaucrats cannot afford to antagonise. The liberal forces insido and outside of Parliament arc able- to exert an irresistible influenco on national policy, a-nd the growth of. their power is the best guarantee that Russia's policy, in tho war will not change. The power of making and unmaking Ministers has not yet been grasped by tho Duma! however, and General TrepOfi , , boldy and well as ho has expressed the national aims, was'in no sonso tho nominee or representative of tho Progressive bloc. It follows that, his resignation is not identified with a Progressive defeat, and does not mean that the policy for which the bloc stands is endangered.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19170112.2.8

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2975, 12 January 1917, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,469

The Dominion. FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1917. WAR AND POLITICS IN RUSSIA. Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2975, 12 January 1917, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1917. WAR AND POLITICS IN RUSSIA. Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2975, 12 January 1917, Page 4

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