News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1905-02-01
RUSSIA
Ex-Minister smith Tells of the People of
That Country and Their Relations
to the United States

That Country ana Their Relations
TO the United States
"Russia Ia tempting but perilous
theme" declared Charles Emory
Smith, former Postmaster General, in
opening his lecture at National r f4s'
Armory before an audience which
packed the hall. The lecture was one
of the course given under the auspices
of the National Geographic Society.
Mr.. Smith was at one time United
States Minister to Russia, and as
such became thoroughly conversant
with conditions in that empire.
"When | was at st. Petersburg"
continued Mr.. Smith, II told the Min
lister of Foreign Affairs that there was
much in Russia which we of the Uaited
States might wish otherwise. And if
1 could say that at that time, when
was diplomat, surely can say it
now / am exercising that more diff
ficult diplomacy of free speech.
Russia does not resent honest criti-
cism all she demands is fair treat
ment, and this should be 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 between the states. She was
our best friend in the hour of our SUI
preme need. 1t has been said that
the appearance of the Russian feet in
the harbor of New York at the crucial
moment of the Rebellion was mere
coincidence, and that Russia had no
intention of interfering or Influencing
in any manner whatsoever This is
q mistake. | ascertained a few things
while was in Russia, and | have had
this information verified by the son
and former secretary of Secretary Sc
ward of Lincoln's Cabinet.
"France and England we're dis
posed to be hostile to the Union
cause, and were preparing to inter
vene, thus leaving the Union forever
.dismembered and destroyed. Russia
was asked to join in this intervention.
She refused, and In her answer her
feet appeared in New York harbor.
The commander of this fleet had
sealed orders, and he was in daily
communication with the Russian
Minister at Washington. The Rus.
sian Minister was also in daily com.
munication with Secretary Seward,
and had Louis Napoleon of France
made one more move toward inter
vention the Russian Admiral would
have been told to break seal and
10 I La% IN,
substance this order was Report
to Abraham Lincoln for further or.
,ders.'
''Russia is country of contrast
On the one hand we see imperial
splendor, and on the other wide.
spread poverty. There is the regal
magnificence of Mo ,cow, St. Peters
burg and the winter palace there
are millions of acres which are pro-
ducing little else than misery. There
is the highest culture and the broad
est ignorance. And because it is
country OF extremes it has been iudg.
ed in extremes. Some have painted
it black and declared its method all
wrong Others have painted it in
brightest colors, a broad-minded and
sympathetic democracy. The truth
lies between the extremes: Ru .sia has
Its light and it's shadows, such as any
human institution must have, and
the honest artist must temper his
picture.
"The present Car is conscientious
and amiable, and the trouble with
his administration is with his advis-
ers. Russia has ministers, but no
ministry there is no united, coher.
ent, responsibility governing body.
The bureaucracy lacks units and
governmental reconstruction is need
ed"
Mr.. Smith told several interesting
anecdotes relating to the present
Gar and said he often walked or
drove about the streets of St. Peters
burg unguarded. The names of De-
Witt and Stoessel were cheered by
the audience. Mr.. Smith said that
seventy-eight per cent of the popula.
ton followed agricultural pursuits
and that the farmers USED the same
style plOws which were used by the
Egyptians 1000 years ago. The
methods of the Russian government
were described and the influence OF
the ''zemstvos" explained. The zem.
'stvO Is sort OF common council.
composed of members delegated by
the people of the various districts"
Washington Post.