Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-05

Of that empire On one side they find
wealth. luxury, extravaganza and dissipa-
ton among the noblemen, the landlords,
bankers, merchants. manufacturers and
other representatives of the upper class; on
the other side poverty. want, ignorance, SUI
perst,tion and depravity. The frst-class
live in more sumptuous manner probably
than any other people in the world. There
is no such splendor elsewhere may be
seen in the palaces of Russian cities, and
the homes of wealthy landowners are usu-
ally on a magnificent and extravaganza
scale.
Tie other class including more than
- per cent OF the population, have incomes
Of only few dollars month. NO people
in The world have a harder struggle for ex-
istence. But the day of retributlon is at
hand The peasant class are aroused with
passion that amounts almost to frenzy;
they are in state of hysterical despera-
ton They declare that they have been
starving long enough and their demands
upon the government must ice cOmpl ed with
promptly or they viii destroy their oppres-
sors who are represented by the landown-
ing class. The troubles with the tenantry
lu Ireland some years ago were insisnih-
cant and trivial compared with what is
likely 10 occur among the corresponding
portion of the population in Russia for SINH
lar seasons.
The Russian Peasant.
an honest. stolid, stupid, stubborn. indus
trious creature, superstidous ignorant
brutal in HIS Instincts and with the passions
OF a half civilized savage. lie has an in
suitable appetite for strong drink. There
is rot enough vodka in all the empire to
quench his thirst. He has no ideals; he
has no Comprehension OF politics: he does
not know what liberty means or what is
meant by a constitution. All he cares for
is sufficient food and clothing for himself
and his family and little surplus to pay
for vodka Che national drink, upon which
he will get stupidity drunk whenever ne mas
an opportunity. II you Will drive into the
suburbs OF St Petersburg or any Russian
city on any sunday afternoon or evening
you will see more drunken men in few
hours than you you Will find in all the rest
OF Europe in month. Many OF them will
be lying on the roadside where they have
fallen others Will be staggering toward
home often arm In arm, singing and shout
ing The police do not interfere with
them unless they becomes violent. When
lhey are found dead drunk on the ground
they are pnt into droskies and sent home
The family has To pay for the drosky
IL the peasants are well treated they are
doCile and Ohedent. but II they feel sense
OF injury, or il they imagine that they have
been deceived or been inposd upon. thy
are uncomfortable.
These characteristics make what is called
the agrarldn problem more important
and vital 10 the peace OF Russia than any
other OF the many questions that now agi-
tate the emuire. The mohs in cities. the la
Dor organizations. the revolutionary aSSo-
Citations. the radical press and other agen-
cies antagonistlc 10 the government can be
handled with comparatively little trouble.
but nothing can suppress an uprising Of the
peasants. There are not enough soldiers IN
the army To check the passions of eighty
millions OF ferocious and irresponsible crea-
tures Therefore. the greatest menace TO
Russia TODAY comes from that source. At
the same time il seems impossible TO salts
~ their demands. although the leaders OF
the douma. realizing the gravity OF the
situation, are giving them the first consid-
era ton and are now studying the question
with great diligence. They may conclude