The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-15
LECTURER OPTIMISTIC
OVER RUSSIKS FUTURE
John L. Grifiths Believes the Gar
Will Triumph Over the
MikadO.
PROCEEDS TO MEMORIAL


splendid lecture was given at the Clay
pool last night By John l.. Grifiths who
spoke on Russia
The proceeds win go to the fund for the
erection of the Purdue University memorial
10 the memory of the students who lost
their lives in the railroad wreck in this city
last fall. While the local management OF
the lecture composed Of Purdue alumni,
had hoped for an attendance Of from 900 TO
60e. there were not more than 175 people in
attendance. and the amount of money
realized from the sale of tickets was far
below that which had been anticipated.
The lecture was probably the best on the
subject ever heard in Indianapolis. While
sighting none of the patent faults and
shortcomings OF the Russian people and
government. Mr. Grifiths expressed sym
patty for the country and a belief in the
ultimate triumph of the better side of Rus
sian life.
The speaker was introduced by President
w Z. Garrison OF Butler College.
Mr. Griffiths began to speak of Russia
with the statement that nation unknown
200 years ago now occupies the center of the
worlds stage While American sympathy
IS apt 10 be with Japan in the present strug-
gle In the far East, said he, because of the
pluck and progressiveness which that ma
ton has shown. and because we teel that
Japan was robbed by Russia or the fruits OF
its victory over China, at the same time
we are apt 10 be unjust to Russia In our
criticism.
RUSSIA NEEDS WATER"
The speaker then recited the facts of
gRussas friendship for America and dwelt
upon the fact that Russia has for centuries
been the buttress that has protected Europe
from invasion and destruction by savage
hordes of Asiatics. and has so preserved to
the world the civilization and culture OF
western Europe.
The thing that has pushed Russia to
continued advance has been the need OF out
let's to the sea. Russia needs water as
much as Japan needs land" said the speak
err she is thirsty rather than hungry
In her advance into Manchuria, said ne,
Russia has done more for that country In
a few years than China had done In cen
turtles
Despite the fact that Russia has never
demonstrated its superiority in war over a
frst-ciass power Mr.. Grlffiths expresseo pressed
contest by mere preponderance OF numbers,
and that its victory would be well Tor CIV
flization and the worlds progress.
Because Japan Is essentially Asiatic and
because it's victory would probably mean
the awakening of China, the speaker argued
that Japanese victory would point TO the
Europe and European civilization
Conditions in Europe were cited 10 sup
port the claim that outside Russia all ma
tons Of Europe have nearly or quite
reached the zenith of their power, while
Russia is new Nation, powerful and virile,
that has a genius for waiting and will until
mately come into possession OF all that 1T
seeks.
RESOURCES ARE ENORMOUS.
Many remarkable and unique things and
customs of the Russian people Were
touched upon, with the statement that IF
you do not kill pigeon. strike a soldier,
ridicule priest or denounce the Gar" you
can travel as safely in Russia as in Eng
land or in France.
- Russia course in crushing the national
life out of Finland was dwelt upon with
no attempt at palliation. But" said Mr..
Griffifhs. 1T shows the thoroughness with
which Russia does things. and from the
standpoint of absolutism is justifable."
The tremendous possibilities of Russia
itself were then mentioned with mineral
wealth greater than the United States,
with millions OF acres or forest and with
One-seventh of the land OF the globe IN its
dominion
With faith i'm the ultimate destiny of
Russia Mr.. Grifhths stated that he realized
the many handicaps to Russian progress,
enumerating them in detail, and dwelt
upon them as making the colors of the
picture sombre and the picture standing in
In contrast to these facts the speaker
gave a statement of many redeeming fea-
lures of Russian life, and quoted from the
conversations of several men and women
OF culture. several OF them members of
the nobility. at dinner attended by him
self and Mrs. GTiffiths. in which he gained
some insight into the wonderful patriotism
of the better OF the Russian educated
classes. of their hopes for the future of
<heir country and the promise this gives
for better things In Russian life.
Education of the masses. the right of
suffrage. a constitution and a parliament
these things must come. Russia regenera-
ton, said the speaker, must and will come
from within. so that in time. though il may
be centuries, Russia will blossom into a
great. progressive and beautiful nation