RUSSIA'S LEADER.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 November 1917, Page 6

RUSSIA'S LEADER.

In his book, “The Re-Birth of Russia,” Mr Marcossan, himself a Jew, gives a graphic description of Kerensky. He is the master of an oratory which is almost weird in its effect on those he addresses. M. Kerensky, say s Mr Marcossan, “fairly drains the well-springs of his life in every speech. But more impressive than his speech is tne appearance cf the man. liis race is wniie. ainicst to ghastliness; his cheeks are gaunt; his eyes are deep, black, lustrous; he looks like one who has sabered and borne great burdens. He incarnates the stuff of wmch martyrs are ' made. This man’s achievement makes him the one distinct and outstanding personality of the whole crowded epoch. Whether this remarkable Jew will succeed in evolving order out ,of the Russian chaos, no man can guess. The London “ Spectator” describes him as “The Russian Danton”—a somewhat disquieting comparison; for Danton did not succeed in “harnessing and riding that whirlwind,” the French Revolution. A s a matter of fact, he lost his head in the process. But M. Kerensky has had the most sudden rise to power in history. “He was a poor and practically obscure young man—he was barely thirty-five—when he came into . his great prominence.” If M. Kerensky in the suddenness and brilliancy of

his ascent, resembles the flight of a rocket, let us hope that the second part of his career will not correspond to the into darkness, of its stick. But| in a revolution —and a Russian revolution —swift and dramatic changes are possible. General Brusiloff himself, however, has paid the highest possible/ tribute to the new Premier: “He is a man gifted,” he says, “he has the divine spark; he has done more than could be done — he has done the impossible.” If this modern Jew succeeds in the task of translating the revolution in Russia into sane terms, he will live in history as one of the greatest men of his race.