New-York tribune., 1906-07-12
SANE VIEWS OF RUssIA.

The views OF the Russian situation which
were expressed by NJ. Leroy -Beaulieu, the emf
nent French publicist, and were reported at
length in yesterdays paper, are to be COM
mended to the consideration of observers of
current affairs as marked with exceptional in
formation and sanity of judgment NJ. Leroy
Beaulieu has long been a close student Of Rus
sian affairs, and as a Frenchman is naturally
inclined to sympathize at once with Russia and
with the advancement of human freedom but
the catholic scope of his vision enables him to
regard the situation without prejudice and to
see all its various phases at the same time and
with equal clearness The complaint has now
and then been made that the world at large
does not know what is going on in Russia, and
does not understand the Russian character.
That complaint is not now nearly so well
founded as it was only year or two ago, and
we cannot think it materially applies at all
to such a man as NJ. LerOy-Beauleu. He knows
Russia and he understands her.
It is to be noted that he emphasizes the actual
ity OF the revolution in Russia. A year and a
half ago It was remarked in these columns that
things could never again be the same as they
had been in Russia, but that a profound and
irrevOcable change had been effected, or at
least assured, and that belief was confirmed
when in October last the Emperor renOunced
his personal absolutSm. 1t seemed to us idle
to say as some did, that the movement for re-
form was all sham, and that everything would
go on just as before. NJ. Leroy -Beaulieu dwells
strongly upon that point It is no transitOry
crisis that is affecting Russia 1t is an actual
revolution, involving a vast and complete transit
ton from the old order OF things into and
entirely different order. 1t may may not in
vOlve the fall of the monarchy. NJ. Leroy Beau
lieu hopes it will not, fearing as we have
feared, that the Overturning OF the throne at
this time would be disastrous. meaning anarchy,
and probably civil war But the integrity of
the monarchy depends upon the action Of the
monarch, and that action, in this acute observ-
ers mind, must be prompt and thorough if it
is TO be effective.
Actual as the revolution is however, and COM
plete as is the transition which it inevitably
involves it is not to be measured by days or
months. The processes will be slow. 1t may
be ten or twenty years before they are COM
plete. That is NJ Leroy -Beauleu's estimate and
he gives convincing reasons for it. The Ameri-
can Revolution was effected in a short time be-
cause the people were ready for it. But with
people so backward in the arts Of government
and so unprepared for a new order of things
as are the Russians the time will necessarily
be much longer. That is a consideration which,
as we have hitherto argued should constantly
be kept in mind by critics Of Russia 1t is not
reasonable to expect that nation to do more
than any other nation has ever succeeded in
doing, to make in a single stride the progress
which In others has required a long and pain
full march. The one supreme fact to be cher
ished with all confidence is that the revolution
is actual and irrevocable, and that, no matter
how long the process required for fulflment
it will be fulfilled.