The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST l3th 1924. AN AMBASSADOR’S MEMOIRS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST l3th 1924. AN AMBASSADOR’S MEMOIRS.

SnoitTi.v before the outbreak of the war, M. Maurice l’aleologue was appointed French Minister at Petrojrrad. and he remained in Russia until after the March revolution, in 1917. Tile lirst volume of his reminiscences, “An Ambassador’s Memoiis.” coveied tho period down to June, 1915. The second volume which has now appeared carries tho tale on to the entry of Rounmnia into the war in August, 1916. It is a most striking document, savs a reviewer, which traces the gradual demoralisation of Russia, as seen by one with unique o[rport unities for observing what was going on. V. Pideologue was interested in the psychology of the Russiau people, and detejeted in it a fatal element of weakness. They were constitutionally un-

able to conic, to grips with reality

“The feature that stiuek me most in my conversations with politicians, soldiers, men in high society. Civ servants, financiers, industrialists, and teaeheis is the vague, lluid. and inconsistent character of sheir notions and .schemes.” They lived in a world of shadows and dreams. Although iKiissia was our ally the public in other countries knew from first, to last little or nothing of what was actually hni>- | cuing there. The Allied Ministers in Russia have been criticised for their failure to foresee what, was impending. lint the criticism is unu an anted. Sir (ieorge Buchanan, the I'.nglisli Ambassador, and M. Paleolegue. at. any rate, both foresaw Bussia'r. collapse and defection, and warned their (lovernnients renonteiMy. But their warnings were not taken seriously until it was 100 late. Vet tin, writing "as on the "all. pltiiu for anyone "ho could interpret it to read. The more competent and honest ollieials were being replaced by others ef inferior i-alibie: Rasputin's inlluinico "as growing; Russia's spirit was being broken by her detent. Tile evacuation of (ia.llijoli had “a disastrous elicit" upon Russian opinion. Kerry"here M. I’aleelogue heard the same jxl- - : “The i|uestion is settled now: We shall never gel Constantino] le.

Then "hat's the use of going in with the war?” And this was in .January. I!)I<5! The entry of Rimnmnia was hailed by the Allies with immense satisfa'-tion. It would have decisive results, said the amateur strategists. But it brought scanty conifoit to M. Paloobigue, who believed that the golden , bailee bail been alloued to pass, never to return. “Speaking personally." lie writes. “I think that through over-rant ion m over-subt-lety Bratiano has already let slip three opportunities far more favourable than the present. It is obvious that the dilatoiy police if Bratiano lias made the enterprise nil which Hi innia has embarked much more difficult and hazardous." And early in August he writes: “.More than ever before the fu.ture appeal's to me as “n night of doubt and darkness." Russia's defection “is tin eventuality which must henceforth enter into political and strategical Cideulatlions of the T rent h (lovernincut. No doubt the Kmperor Nicholas will stand by our alliance to the very end : I feel no anxiety whatever on that score. Bui he is not immortal. How many Russians, even—nr lather. especially—those in closest contact with him. are secretly longing for his disapponran ■ What would happen if there was n change of sovereign! On that point I have no illusions. There would be an immediate defection of Russia. ’’ M. I’aleologue was a true prophet.