BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 28 July 1917, Page 11

BOOKS OF THE DAY

Russia in 1916. Yet another book on Russia from the industrious pen of Mr. Stephen Graham, ".Russia iu 1910" (Cassell and Co., per S. and W. Mackay), is composed of a series of personal impressions, and is, like its predecessors from tho same pen, a very readable and interesting production. In tho earlier chapters 'the author describes his journey to the now iarnous harbour of liketerina, far within the Arctic Circle. "The Dark Haven," lie callsi it, whore, from the end of November to 'the middle of January, the sun never rises. At Alexandrovsk "the lights in the little. wooden buildings never go out, snowstorms go on indefinitely, and the frost may be forty, fifty degrees," Mr. Graham tells much that will be new to most of his readers, of the ! making of the railway across the tundras,' the endless morasses and marshes, to tho little port of Kem, whence there is a good substantial iron road to Petrograd. The railway, by the way, does not. go near Archangel. Ekaterina is, he says,

a great sight, a moßt beautiful place, though forbidding and -austere, a symmetrical, flask-shaped exit from the arctic. In the storm of driving mist and snow it was difficult enough finding the neck of the flask, the way; but once ineiric all was peace, though the storm raged in the heavens and in the air. % At Archangel Mr. Graham found a new electric tram service in operation,

"the .most northern tramway in 'the world," and bringing in .21000 a week. Archangel is. booming with war trade. A year before the war fifty Vessels entered Archangel. During the last twelve months previous to the author's visit the number had risen to over 5000. All the ships of the world find anchorage in the harbour, and. motley crowds throng the streets. With the rise, however, of Alexandrovsk (on the Ekaterina) Archangel's glories must soon fade. The author gives us sketches of Russian life in town and country, at Moscow and Petrograd, at a summer resort in the Caucasus—as to the wild dissipation thereat of the Russian vulgar rich ho makes some very severe remarks—and ia rural districts, whoio lie revisited old friends. The war is unpopular with the peasants, especially the >oung women, who feel they are losing the necessary bridegroom. The Russian soldier gets very little leave when he is well. It often happens, Mr. Grahtim tells ,us, that from .the day of mobilisation to the peace day, when the men come home, nothing is seen or heard of the common soldier, especially when he cannot write. Lists of casualties in the ranks are not published, and tho village has to wait patiently to know whom it has lost and who aro saved. The wounded are well cared for, and tho English nurses speak in the highest terms of the courage, patience, and courtesy of Ihe meil they tend. \ _ The author devotes a special chapter 'to the liquor question, chronicling the fact that, except in Archangel city, vhere linglish " whisky, obtained from vessels lying in the harbour, was somewhat in evidence, he "saw no drunken mail anywhere." Ho declares that sobriety was one of tho ideals of the Ysar.

It is not a temporary measure. Licences may be granted after the-war,, oil certain conditions, and the rich may have their wines again. But popular drinking is not likely to be re-established, unless somo business Government should ever get into power, havpng big alcoholic interests. But business governments are not I'.kely to get there. :

Mr. Graham republishes in his book some .letters ho has written to tho "Times" on the liquor question. In these he gives much interesting information as to the alleged consumption of beer, grape juice, and home-made wines. Peaco prospects, the cost of living, and financial and commercial problems aro also dealt with, Mr. Graham, who, it must be remembered,, corrected tho proofs of his book before thp revolution, hints that tho political extremists were more anxious to overthrow tho autocracy than to defeat Germany.. It is somewhat curious, in view of what has recently been disclosed as to Court influences, to find him writing thus: Had it not been for tho complete, steadfast, and unwavering hostility of tho Tsar towards Germany, Russia would have succumbed to the seductions of internal strife. Germany, as it is, hopes steadily for revolution in Russia—for a nation divided against itself cannot stand." Also, he deprecates the gossip about Rasputin, Stunner, tho Empress, the fall of Ministers, etc. "An immense amount of random rubbish is," ho says, "talked in Russia," ' Clearly Mr. Graham, much as lie may know about Russia, and ho is admittedly a high authority thereon, had still much to learn as to the political positiou at Petrograd before the Revolution. I should like to quote wliat he says—with prophetic accuracy—as, to the mischievous influence of Maxim Gorky, now openly anti-British, aud many other interesting subjects. But space limits forbid. Everything that Mr. Graham writes about Russia is well worth reading, and his latest book is no exception to the general rule. (New Zealand price, 3s. Cd.)