Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-21
RUSSIA HIS THEME
LECTURE BY CHARLES EMORY
SMITH LAST NIGHT.
Under Auspices of National Geographic
Society at the National
Rifles Armory.

Russia is a tempting. but perilous
Theme" declared Mr.. Charles Emory Smith,
former Postmaster General, in opening his
lecture last evening at National Rifles Arm
DRY before an audience which packed the
hall The lecture was one Of the course
given under the auspices of the National
Geogra phic Society. Mr.. Smith was at one
time United States minister to Russia, and
as such became thoroughly conversant with
conditions in that empire.
when l was at st. Petersburg" contin-
ued Mr.. Smith, IT told the minister of for
eign affairs that there was much in Russia
which we of the United States might wish
otherwise. And If l could say that at that
time. when l was diplomat, surely can
say II now. when / am exercising that more
difficult diplomacy of free speech Russia
does not resent honest criticism; all she de-
mands is fair treatment, and this should De
accorded her by the people OF the world,
but more particularly by the people Of the
United States.
Some of you know, perhaps all of you
know. the part Russia took in the war be-
tween the states. She was our best friend
in the hour of our supreme need. 1t has
been said that the appearance of the Rus
sian feet in the harbor of New York at the
crucial moment of the rebellion was mere
coincidence and that Russia had no inten-
ton of interfering or influencing in any
manner whatsoever. This is a mistake. I
ascertained a few things while l was in
Russia, and l have had this information
verified by the son and former secretary Of
Secretary Seward of Lncolns cabinet.
Believed to Be Hostile.
France and England were disposed to be
hostile to the Union cause, and were pre-
pairing to intervene, thus leaving the Union
forever dismembered and destroyed Russia
was asked to join in this Intervention. She
rssfn nd In bar rad
in New York harbor. The commander of
this fleet had sealed orders. and he was in
daily communication with the Russian min
lister at Washington. The Russian minister
also in daily communication with Sec
rotary Seward, and had Louis Napoleon of
France made one more move toward inter-
vention the Russian admiral would have
been told to break the seal and read his Or
ders. And l know that in substance this
order was: Report to Abraham Lincoln
for further orders.
Russia is a country of contrasts. On the
one hand we see imperial splendor, and on
the other widespread poverty. There Is the
regal magnificance of Moscow, st. Peters
burg and the winter palace; there are mil
lions of acres which are producing little
else than misery. There Is the highest Gull
ture and the broadcast ignorance. And be-
cause 1t Is country of extremes 1t has
been judged In extremes. Some have paint
ed 1t black and declared Its method all
wronga others have painted 1t in brightest
colors, a broad-minded and sympathetic de-
mocracy. The truth lies between the eX-
tremes; Russia has It's lights and it's shad
ows. such as any human institution must
have. and the honest artist must temper his
picture.
Conscientious and Amiable.
THE present car is conscientious and
amiable, and the trouble with his admins
tration is with his advisors Russia has
ministers but no ministry; there Is no united,
coherent, responsibility governing body The
bureaucracy lacks unity, and governmental
reconstruction is needed"
Mr.. Smith told several interesting anec-
dotes relating to the present car and said
he often walked or drove about the streets
of St Petersburg ansuarded. The. names
of De White and Stoessel were cheered by
the audience. Mr.. Smith said that rs per
cent of the population followed agricultural
pursuits and that the farmers used the same
style ploWs which were used by the Egyp-
tians 1000 years ago. The methods of
Russian government were described and
the influence of the "zemstvos' explained.
The zemstvo is a sort of common council,
composed of members delegated by the
people OF the various districts. At the
conclusion of the lecture Mr.. Smith was
cordially thanked by the officers and MEM
beers of the geographic society.