Semi=weekly graphic., 1898-02-16

most charming and superior woman. And the empire of Russia Is certainly blessed in it's rulers. ;
 "What about the condition and life of the masses?"
 "The condition of the masses seems to Dc one of steady but not rapid improvement. With such a vast number of people it is not to be ex- pected that a rapid change of con diiion is possible. And perhaps it is not best that changes should be very rapidly wrought. While from our western point of view a good many changes would seem to be de- sirable, yet it cannot be denied that the people as a whole, are contented with their lot and are extremely loyal to their sovereign and country. In the great cities like St. Peters burg, Moscow and Odessa, q large percentage of the working people, as we see them on the street, are quite as well dressed and in substantially the same garb as in our own country; and they have q well fed and contented look. Of course, in the remoter provinces they are not yet so far advanced. But there is a steady uplifting of the people in all that relates to their intelligence and comfort"
 "What about the Czar and the government of Russia?'
 "What relates to the Emperor l have substantially spoken of before. As to the government of Russia, we all know that it is an absolute gov ernment; but perhaps we do not sufficiently appreciate that it is free in practice from a great many of the evils that are possible under such theory of government. Russia has long enjoyed rulers in advance Of the people. and the progress which has been made has generally had to over come considerable conservatism and reluctance on the part of the masses of the people. The spirit of this age and the nature of the Russian char acter gives to the administration of their governments a paternal and deyen benevolent nature such as absolute governments have not always, pos sessed. While there are modifica- tions which it seems to me would add to efficiency, yet it cannot be questioned that in the main the present form of government is best suited to the present condition of that gr eat empire, and that it is what the people of that empire want.
 "They have their regular code of laws and conrts of justice; largely trials by jury and local municipal control. That abuses exist is true of them as well as of every other country. Even here we sometimes find people who say there are things they would like to reform. But in the main justice is better administered, and the peo- pie are better protected in the quiet pursuits of industrial life, and in their personal and domestic rights, as time goes Op a;,;
 ..vbat about Russia from mlii- tacv standpoint as compared with tha Tinted States and the great powers of Europe?"
 ..Rnssia looks very carefully alter har military affairs, and she is n araot mower, well organized and well armed. The official reports correctly indicate to you that she has in her harracks and in the different classes of her reserves, all of course regularly trained and subject to call, several millions of soldiers. There is no better material than q Russian i soldier as he appears to the eye oi |every observer and as lie has proved upon many Ilat tIe fields: l do not