Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-03
THE GLARS ABSOLUTISM.
Republication Was the Early Form
of Government in Russia.
From the Kansas City Star.

Republication Was the Early Form
of Government in Russia.
From the Kansas City Star.
The renewal of the assaults the per-
son Of the car has called attention again
to the lingering Of absolutism in Russia
half century after it's Punishment from the
rest of the civilized world. One of the odd
facts of history is that the nation which
is so slow to give up autocracy was slow
to adopt it. Republicanism was the early
form of government in Russia. Absolutism
is of comparatively recent growth. 1t was
forced on the people as means of defense
from the invading Mongols. The difference
between the governments of Great Britain
and Russia is largely matter of bounda-
ries. The sea gave to England the defense
which Russia was forced to seek in an alb
SOlute monarch.
In an article in the International Maya
zine j. Novicow of Odessa points out the
development OF the power of the cars. The
ancient Russian population lived under the
administration of the clan. Then came
government by the city. The political au-
thority of a certain region was concen-
trated in fortified central town, whose
organization was republican. A senate
proposed measures which needed to be
ratified by a popular assembly. The Nor
mans were responsible for the Introduction
Of the monarchy into Russia. band Of
Scandinavians commanded by a chief
named Rurik. conquered large territory
in the vicinity Of Novgorod in the ninth
century, just as 200 years later another
Norman, William, made himself supreme
in England. From Novgorod capital
Rurik levied tribute on the free cities
through large territory.
His sons divided his possessions at his
death, and each created for himself sort
of kingdom. Most OF the towns retained
their old form Of republican government
in spite Of the invasion. In some instances
x.-sfx 6rfxy nrpt Nav
gorod regained it's independence and
tanned 1t until 1880 Where the princes had
authority their rule was not absolute. Ere
quently they were forced to consult the
popular assembly. The descendants OF
Rurik came to recognize the leadership of
the ruler Of Kief who held the title OF
grand prince, but whose authority over the
rest Of the empire was merely nominal.
The title was contested. and finally was Sc
cured by the dynasty that reigned at Mos
COW.
In the thirteenth century came the Mon
gol invasion. The princes OF the house of
Rurik banded together unsuccessfully to
withstand 1t. Only the republics Of Nov
gorod and Pskof preserved their indepen-
dence. The Tartars laid heavy tribute upon
the conquered probabilities Resistance
only brought incursions of fierce, maraud-
ing bands To escape from their intoler-
able position the Russians intrusted more
and more military power to the Ruriks.
The grand prince Of Moscow was the nat
MongoIs, and the people saw that their
hope of safety from the invaders lay with
him. Any measure which increased his au-
thority was regarded as beneficial. In this
way the idea OF autocracy took root IN
Russia. The Moscow ruler gained more
and more power. until Simeon, In the four
teenth century, took the title Of grand
duke of all the Russias. A hundred years
later Ivan III finally repealed the MongoIs
and established his absolute rule through
out the empire.