The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-06
RUSsIA's SOCIAL PROBLEMS,
Popular enlightenment Dangerous 20 the
GOyernment-TheT yrant Church.

To rHR EptroR oP THF SUs Sir, Compare
the conditions that have existed in Russia
| a. the result Of the freeing OF the serfs with
Aimilar conditions In this country in order 10
appreciate better the internal problems OF
Russia
The negro problem in this country has been
ono OF the most trying national questions with
which we have grappled; and our negro popu-
lation is only about one-tentb OF tho whole.
In applying tho condition Of Russia 20 our
case, we would have out OF population OF
100, o0o. 900 about $4,000. 900 negroes. Also
consider that the Russian. although to-day
illiterate has the mental power TO ashmilate
book knowledge more rapidly than any other
race. II our country. liberal and free as II Ia.
has trouble attending properly to ten or
twelve million freedmen. what would II do
with ninety nillions7
Tho nine-tenths OF the population OF Russia
that have been serfs and are now free mon
are socialists and anarchists, rebellious by
nature Who are the majority OF anarchists
and radical socialists In this country There
Ia one answer Russians. The Russian or
Polish immigrant. with his power OF assim-
Hating knowledge and the opportunities that
we offer. Is publishing papers and circulating
literature against our Government before
the Latin imm grant. for example. can talk
our Ian guaEe. And this Ia not all. Our priaon
statstios prove that when the criminal In
stinct shows Itself In the Russian he becomes
counterfeiter or proprietor OF an llhGit dif-
tillery. and In extreme cases his soclalstic
tendencies lead him TO be an assassin. IL he
Ia this sort Of demon q our free country
after a life OF oppression Ia Russia. what must
This Ia the trying condition with which,
its population becoming more dangerous
every day II becomes more enli ghtcned-
II usaH L. d9Gmed Is beo@Hss q It's
The Holy Synod OF the Greek Church. which
Is holding back and thwarting every move OF
R msnt win be "G pesspo S ' for the fall L It
The religious clashes between the Jews and
followers OF the Greek Church in Russia are
Of race warfare here The Polish and Russian
Their reii Eion is their superstition and their
life. The Greek Catholic is the most radical
form OF the GENTLE religion. II isa form Of
least. among its nd herents The two are
bound TO olash-the ignorant Russian Catho-
ns '" only i1e hs pel son snd naturally g hating
the other who will not agree with him The
jew is unfortunate in living IN country
Hope for Russia is not in Constitution
but In the release OF the, Government from
snf that NISRolas H. could Change The pS GGv
eminent on the appeal OF the populhce. they
are vastly mistaken, Exemplary OF this; For
commission working on the matter of chang
ing the Russian calendar 70 conform with the
rest OF Europe and America. but every report
would involve the loss OF Church holidays.
and the consequent loss OF revenue to their
Holinesses- would not be tolerated. II they
hold the Government back in simple but
much needed reform such as that. what would
be the chance OF a constitutional change II
IL Ia needed2
The change would like TO would be tho
breaking away OF the Government from tho
domination OF the Church. and then see her
tackle those problems OF slowly emil RhteninR
her people and turning them into loyal cti-
Gems such as the better classes OF Russians
whose loyalty 70 their country Is most praise
worthy. II. l.. A.
NEW YORK. Feb. /.