Evening star., 1905-10-29

of Russia, for the Observation-Disclosures
freude-cannot be rendered in English, nor
will your phiologists try to natural1Ze that
word. The object of these few lines is sim
ply to give an account of the reasons which
have induced me for so many years TO per-
sist In the tendency of my writings, and at
the same time L wish to put forward the
main causes by which my opponents nave
been misled in their appreciation of Russia
and in the perception of her policy.
To begin with, beg leave to point to the
fact that men thoroughly acquainted with
Asia had always differed IN their judgment
of Russian affairs from those who had no
practical experience of the east and who
viewed Russia from the European stand
point. In the eyes of the latter ones Rus
sian talking fuently French, English or
German, and showing all the attributes or
| a highly civilized European, was evidently
taken as the very prototype or western cul-
ture, whereas the former, undeceived by
outward appearance, could not help discov-
ering under the decetful garb of European
habits and manners all the faults. vices, bar
barfties and prejudices which have shocked
the student of the east in his intercourse
with men clad in kaftan and turban. The
Turk, Arab and Persian, however faultless
his European education may be, Is never
able to play the role of modern European
SO adroitly and so deceptively as the Rus
sian hence our illusion with regard to the
latter, hence the fallacy of our having al
ways overrated the Russian civilization, and
hence the far and widespread belief in the
boundless power of the specifically known
fabric called the Russian empire.
Now, since Japan has pricked the Russian
bubble, the general surprise may be well
understood, but the astonishment is not
shared by those who had penetrated more
deeply into the character of the eastern
world. for to the latter ones 1t was always
patent that underneath its cover Russia is
strictly Asiatic. nay, in certain points even
more Asatic than genuine Turkey, Persia
etc. To quote one example, we refer to the
recent interior troubles. when anarchy and
lawlessness have spread all over the country
in way which no national disaster or po-
ntical catastrophe would have entailed in
Turkey Persia.
In the face of this sudden collapse and of
this unparalleled downfall Of a once dreaded
power we may well put the question: Would
It not have been more salutary for Russia
II her fraudulent play upon Europe had
been less effective, and II the western world
by sooner awakening from the delusion, had
not constantly strengthened the ruling ele-
ments of Russia In their self-conceit in the
illusory progress and in the unwarranted
sentiment of power? Unfortunately. lust
the contrary has taken place. During the
past century. and particularly in the second
half of 1t, we heard and read constantly of
the vast and endless power of the empire of
the czars, of its important role as a civilizer
OF Asia; and even Englishmen went so far
as to pretend that the national character of
the Russians is better fitted to civilize Asia
than is that of the more civilized but stiff
and rigid Englishman. From those and
similar other conceptions sprang the belief
in the fnvincibiity of Russia, who was ca
joled and courted by it's near and distant
neighbors, thus giving rise TO feelings of
fear and to general consideration.
Not only did our ruling statesmen show
an outspoken reserve and awe to the will of
the court of ST. Petersburg, but a great
English politician went so far as to call the
head of that despotic and inwardly rotten
state "the divine figure OF the north" 1t Is
M rol hnt hc Cd IL fA}x
being constantly exalted and petted, had
very soon begun to believe in its own great
ness. The self-conceit of Russia had no
bounds. With certain European cabinets
her win was near to become q law and in
most Of the international questions a frown
OF the Jupiter on the Neva be0an to weigh