New-York tribune., 1906-07-11
A RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
LEROY -BEAULTEU'S VIEW.
Head of French Institute BeIiepes
Nesc Government IncUitabEe.

editions in Russia and the outlook for the
srtpre. n Leroy-Beaulieu divides most of his
.ir,a between the Institute. over which he has
--.-,ded since the recent death of Albert sorel.
80 his villa in the forest of Aeudon. He also
-..tes frequent visits to Russia, the last only
sew weeks ago. for the purpose OF observing
.hs effects Of the first Russian election. Asked
.o-day 20 sum up his recent observations, M.
4srov-Beaulieu said:
II should be understood that the Russian sit-
,stion is one Of actual revolution. 1t is no
Isis which can be measured by days, weeks or
Saontfs but is a vast and complete transition.
-eseulbling that Of the French Revolution. W1en
7 eav revolution do not mean that the mon
orcby IS certain 10 be 0EeTtlrown, although it
& possible that this may follow The greater
1.rt Of the leaders Of the Constitutional Democ-
SSscv desire 10 save the throne from wreck, but
sEey recognize that they are not masters OF tho
Frtnre If the government does not satisfy the
cations demands, catastrOphes of the graVest
,afure are ahead for Russia.
pe-sonally- think that the overthrow Of the
chrome would be a great disaster. for that would
,nean anarchy, and probably civil war.
n Leroy-BeauIeu, asked if the preservation
NJ the throne meant continuation of the au-
sooracy. replied:
BY no means. Arbitrary autocracy is doomed
Indeed, the disappearance of the autocracy Is
inevitable as civilization advances and the
theory of government changes from the primi-
tive idea that power deScends from the ruler
n the people 10 the more enlightened view that
mower ascends from the people to the ruler All
mat the present monarchy can save at the best
sr mower within constitutional we'll defined
limits The Emperor has good intentions, but
ne knows very little of his country outside
of the limits Of the palaces. He is always hesi-
fafing is himself terrified by the example OF the
French Revolution. and does not wish TO have
fbe same end as Louis XVI although he forgets
that Charles of England arrived at q similar
end by another route. Perhaps II Is already too
lsfe 10 save the dynasty from going down with
Fhe sutocracV. but the Emperor might stay the
the formation Of a ministry
Tspresenting parliament which represents the
neope He has already lost much time. and
ibe feeling of discomfort is continually increas-
ing
n Leroy -Beaulieu then discussed the agrarian
and other leading questions. The land. he said.
vas the most difficult question. owing to the in
tense feeling among the peasants. The govern
rent had counted on the peasants who were
considered 10 he devoted 10 the Emperor and
the Church. hut having received a part of the
lands as > result of the emancipation Of the
tehs the peasants now expected more. The
government recoiled before the enormous cost of
partial or total expropria ton Of the ancient es-
fates, yet unless the Emperor satisfied the ex-
psctations Of the peasants he would transform
them into an opposition element. and perhaps
into revoUtionists. N. Leroy-Beaulieu con-
tinued:
The question Of nationality IS almost equally.
Poland and the errbranches Of the population
demand the same autonomy. They are all
doubtless entitled TO the same liberty, but be-
heve IN leaving future determination which Of
these peoples have enough national cohesion and
enough maturity 10 be intrusted with autonomy.
II outside ~ Finland there is such a people ripe
ior the largest exercise Of liberty 1t is Poland.
Concerning the other national groups. incline
10 the view that il is sufficient for some years to
give them larger measures of self-government.
y " nai New Russia wants is the reverse of Old
Russia. The old. centralized authority should be
replaced by adequate local self government.
Asked about the Jewish question, NJ Leroy
Beaulieu spoke Of his observations in his recent
travels in Russia, where he was struck with the
Fenacty with which the Jews demanded the
same civil and political rights as Christians He
said.
There are FIVE million Jews in Russia, and If so
8anY o1 them are found among the revolution
ISIS me reason is 10 be found in the exceptional
ENs 10 which they are compelled to submit
ne Jews thus become irreconcilable adver-
oiles oi me government. which ObStinafely
fuses Them the rights accorded to other people in
ne country. Thus the reactionists count on the
Jews. and tins IS why the police incite brutali-
res against the Jews, like those at Bialystok.
Zen u The ministers are not directly respOn-
slp!e [ne local police organize these butcheries
HAch &" on under the benevolent silence of the
aoliLals' 'faflol- When visited Russia plans for
1tflslngs against the Jews were everywhere an
Ly1uhced. and The subsequent action merely re-
.I'Afu Nlal fully anticipated. The sole means
!, enc tae nprisiugs and bring about the with
ofswal Of the Jewish masses from the revolu-
nonary Propaganda is to accord them equality
- l--e iaW The Russian parliament de-
Hahas TINS but the government hesitates, per-
e,Stilg ln considering the Jews to be the prin-
'pal organizers OF the revolution
n Leroy-Beaulieu described the scenes he
Ni'nessed in The course Of the elections in Rus
S'a when be visited three typical interior cities,
1-ooz' Warsaw and Czenstokowa. Lodz he COM
Pared With Chicago, owing to the rapidity of its
growth and The energy Of the people. He said:
lle elections proceeded in a state of siege.
- 'ht election bureaus in Poland were guarded
~ HIs. and often Cossacks were stationed at
eooIs have even heard the Cossack s
,up iailine on the backs of electors at LODI,
'ilat 0iQ not prevent the people from return
- opposition members TO parliament. II is no
taD-e mat there are twelve Jewish members
=, NE lower house. including those of Moscow,
~ fltlSeufS Of Russia one of the Jewish lead
- oi Moscow has eloquentIy defended the
1-o3sct Tor division Of the lands among the
e--sants. showing that there grounds 70
peci that the Jews viii prove a disrupting
"'eil among the Constitutional Democracy.
u. leroy -Beaulieu further outlined the urgent
Heeo Of reform in the bureaucracy. which, he
says is beyond expression an arbitrary power
"a also the suppression of arbitrary arrests and
complete Transformation Of the staffs Of the
o-'elaiS who were blindly committed to the old
"'cseS- Ia conclusion. he said
II is difficult 10 foreeee the final results OF
@ co q vast upheayal, but l expect results "a
oo-he about through slow processes. The results
ot or american revolution were realized
- ny because your people we're prepared but
19 ~ PEOPLE Of Russia far different. / am in
,slea 10 believe that this revolution will con-
- ID various stages of intensity for ten. and
~ tapS twenty years. owing to the magnitude
o. The questions involved and the dancers along
- "ay- tor the present the Emperor'S choice
LineiSl ministry appears to be the best
Means Of ayerting a revolution with the possi,
hssty =" - ''0 -