RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 280, 23 August 1915, Page 3

RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

A NEW UNION OF HEARTS. (By “Sergius, in the Sunday Times.) The war, terrible as it is, has done at least one good thing; it has drawn Russia and England together. Another desirable result has been that Russia has been freed from the German nightmare which lay like a cloud over all her efforts at progress. The intellectual and moral inti nonce of England has al.vays been markedly felt by the educated classes of Russ’a, in spite of strenuous efforts of the school's and universities influenced by Germany to minimise that influence. The two greatest Russian poets of the middle of the nineteenth century, Pushkin and Lcrmontoff, whose influence upon Russian culture is still strong, were both much impressed by the cult of Byron, and one of the most beautiful of Russian novels in verse, “Eugene Anegin, ” familiar to Englishmen in the opera of the same name, is founded upon the plot of “Childe Harold.” Although entirely Russian in character, “Onegin” has strong traces throughout of Byron’s groat ■work, and here wo have the first instance of the harmonious union of two souls, the Russian with its mysticism and the English with its strenuous desire for conquest of the unknown.

The best translation of " Hamlet’ * is that made by the Russian Grand Duke Constantine Constantino witcn. Gulliver and Swift are as popular in Russia as they are in England. But the two greatest influences, upon Russian culture, influences which go far to neutralise that of Marx, are the teaching of Darwin and the philosophy of Spencer.

The majority of the Russian educated classes base their philosophy on Darwin, though lack of knowledge of the English language has somewhat retarded the effect of his writings. English has not been taught in the schools as have German and French, and it is only quite lately that German has been superseded by English in the Government schools. The possibility of mutual appreciation has also been hampered by the English ignorance of the Rusian language and literature. Yet it always remains true that tout com-prendre-e’est s'entendre.

German politicians and the German Press have done their very best to keep the two peoples from understanding one another, knowing that with a strong friendship between them there would be no room for Bernhardis or Kaisers, and that the dreams of German worJd-conquest would be shattered. Pacificist Sentitments. The Rusians are by nature non-mili-tary, and this is true not only of the Slavonic race, but also of the great majority of the inhabitants of Russia. As regards the Russian nation proper, their pacific nature is well-known. The Russian nature is a pacific one, and passive natures do not lend themselves readily to militarism. If in the present war we wutness the spectacle of the whole of the Russian ' nation

standing united and full of enthusiasm, it is because it understands that it is now fighting for the right to live according to its ideal's of life as against the ideals of Bornhardi, and against the mailed fist of German militarism.

Rusisa’s union with England in this war has a much deeper significance than a mere union of arms. Russia is keenly conscious that John Bull has a quality which is sometimes lacking iu herself strong will 'and determination. He has at the same time an inborn respect for personal freedom and individuality, and this “live and I'et live” appeals strongly to the Russian temperament. The British Constitution has always been the ideal of Russian Progressives.

A well-known Russian journalist, L. L. Tolstoi, son of the great Tolstoi, recently remarked in the Novoe Vremya, in speaking about the substitution of English for German in the Russian secondary schools:

“This would have a most edifying effect upon the coming generation, as it would make it possible for it tt, come into closer touch with the English culture, the blessings of which are now enjoyed by a good half of humanity. This culture differs markedly from the German, being noble and full of life, humanity, and freedom.” A Growing Entente. Another Rnsian journalist, M. Menshikoff, in the same number of the Novoe Vremya, devotes an articie to the futre relations between England and Russia. Ho says: “All this talk about the British attempts to conquer the world is nonsense. No maritime power coin'd achieve anything of the kind. On the contrary, the motto of Great Britain in international politics has always boon ‘Liv and let live.’ She could- easily have stopped Germany from acquiring colonies in Africa while the German fleet was still in its infancy, yet she never took any steps in this direction.

"Britain’s colinies enjoy complete independence, yet the bond with the Mother Country is sto strong that as soon as the war broke out they flew to her assistance and volunteered aD possible support, both of men, arms, and ships. "The same is true with regard tn :he Army, which is already trebled in strength since the outbreak of the war. and all by voluntary enlistment.

"Russia’s mision will be accomplished when she gets an outlet to the sea, and this will see the liberation of the Slavonic nation from the German yoke. She will have need of Grreat Britain as a customer for Russian raw r material and for wheat also, when her economic relations with Germany will be a thing of the past.” To put these ideas into practice a society has been formed in Moscow "For the Promotion of an Understanding between England and Russia.” The statutory meting has just been held, the promoters comprising such weD-known names as those of Professor N. A, Kablukoff and P. O. Norgorodzeff, of the University of Moscow, M. N. Novikoff, a member of the Russian Duma, J. N. Sakharoff, a member of the Bar at Moscow, and the well-

I known public man. Privy Councillor N. Y. Dividoff. Tbe meeting was well attended, and it was resolved to form branches of the society all over Russia. The en- ! thusiasm during the procedings testifies to the hold which the new society has taken upon the public mind.