New-York tribune., 1905-01-22
THE VOICE OF THE SPHINX.

The Russian Sphinx gives voice at last. 1t
was Tourgueneff who years ago, with his mar
vellous insight into the nature OF his country
men, characterized Ivan Ivanovitch. the typical
Russian peasant, workman, or what not, as
an inscrutable Sphinx, and no characterization
could have been more apt. For generations no
body, at any rate no outsider, has known the
mind Of the Russian people. Were they suplne,
inert. content to be downtrodden, or were they
simply bdng their time and making all prepa-
rations for a revolution that would make that
of 1898 seem petty? The silence and the gloom
of the immeasurable steppes gave no reply. But
today the Sphinx Of the Russian desert, whose
name is Legion has found voice, the accents
Of which are harbingers of amazement to those
who stand about the Great White Gar. Never.
perhaps. in our time, If ever, indeed. in Russian
history, has there been a popular demonstration
of greater significance than this OF to-day. 1t
NAV be repressed. But the feelings, the temper
and the aims of the Russian people have been
revealed at last, and cannot henceforth be con-
cealed or disguised. The autocracy knows now,
If it has not known before, with what it stands
face 10 face.
That is, the menace of revolution. Now for
the first time industrial and political demands
are conjoined. There have been strikes before,
when men have clamored for better pay, for
shorter days or for other benefits. Also, there
have been political demands and demOnstra-
tons, and particularly consplracies and plots.
The supreme significance of the present move
ment is that IT comprises both. The fact that
100000 men were on strike would not mean
much were it not that every one Of those strik-
ers is now a political revolutionist. He is call
ing not merely for better conditions Of employ
ment but for political emancipation. He is
striking not merely against his employer in the
factory, but against the imperial autocracy in
the palace That is the voice of the Sphinx. 1t
tells us that the Russian people, apparently so
long suffering and so inertly apathettc, are at
last awakening and are demanding not only
social and industrial betterment, but also polit-
cal changes that would amount not necessarily
10 q dynastic but TO a legislative and admins
trative revolution. That is what differentiates
the incidents Of the last few days from all that
have gone before
All eyes are instinctively turned. Of course,
to the army That has, since the days of the
great Peter, been the chief support of the
throne Beyond doubt, it would be able to sup
port il now were its integrity unimpaired. In
fortunately for the autocracy its integrity is I'M
paired in respect 10 both quantity and quality.
Nearly a million have been taken from
Russia TO be food for Japanese powder. In case
OF any extensive uprisings at home their abb
sence would be grievously felt. Worse still,
there is grave reason for doubling the trust
worthiness of the army Within year the gov
ernment has officially confessed that the army
is largely permeated with revolutionary and
disloyal influences and tendencies Revolution
ary literature has been widely disseminated
through it. Revolutionary, clubs have been
formed in it, often comprising officers of rank.
Only the other day the world was startled with
what seemed the revelation of a military plot
within the army and within its most trusted
- u 1,
can assure the autocracy that the soldiers
will fire upon the mob If they are command
ed to do so? Ivan Ivanovitch, TOurgueneff's
little Sphinx, is in the army as well as In the
workshop and upon the farm. If the voice that
is now raised in the streets should find respon-
sive echo in the barracks, the menace of revolu-
ton might soon become an actuality.