Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-04
Russia's Many Ills.

There are signs that the general strike,
proclaimed yesterday at st. Petersburg. to
take effect Monday, will not prove the sue
cess its originators have hoped Lack of
preparedness in point of notice and funds
is already ascribed as probable reason OF
failure, coupled with the government
prompt measures In arresting the leaders
of the movement rapidly as they make
themselves conspicuous.
This situation illustrates the dominant
character Of the Russian revolution. 1t IS
unorganized, its elements are heterogere-
Gus. Its leaders are without universal pres
tige. There is apparently no consistent pro-
gram. The army and navy. on the one side,
are allies of the revolutionists only SO far
as the mutinous spirit happens to coincide
with the agitation for reforms. The poiiu-
cal revolutionists are not in perfect har-
mony with the disconnected working classes.
These three elements, If they could once be
brought into unison and held under a. pow
erful leadership and guided wisely IN the
course of simultaneous demonstration, would
probably carry the day and sweep the gov
eminent out of existence.
But thus far in the course of the revolu-
ton there has been no such cohesion. The
government is possibly responsible in a
measure. through the adoption of the Mach
iavelan policy of divide and govern,
though few critics of the Russian situation
are inclined to give the bureaucracy credit
for any especial sagacity In handling the
case Rather Is 1t likely that the revolu-
tionists have failed TO cooperate because Of
the lack of means of prompt comnunica-
ton and the difficulty of swift decision
upon a definite course.
The attitude of the army toward the revo-
luton remains somewhat of a mystery. In
a few cases mutineers have displayed signs
of sympathy for the proletariat. but in the
main their grievances have been Incidental
to the service, harsh treatment by officers.
insufficient food and. probably. II the full
truth We're known, the failure of their pay.
In short, the army and navy seem to have
inclined toward revolution chiefly for the
amelioration of their own conditions, with
out regard for the effect of their agftations
and INSTRUMENTATION upon the general po-
litical situation. In a few Isolated in
stances mutineers have adopted the cries of
the revolutionists. and here and there are
signs that agents of the terrorlsts have
smuggled themselves into the ranks and i'm
personated soldiers and sailors in order to
foment trouble.
1t is probable that II Russia had taken
care to keep the army and navy good hui
mored, to soften the asperities of the serv-
Ice to check the harshness of the officers
and to keep up the rations and the pay
there would be today no serious question of
the attitude of the soldiers and sailors. This
condition is important as indicating the diff
ficulty of effecting a coalition between the
revolutionists and the mutineers.
In truth, Russia is today suffering from
so many ills that it is difficult for them to
be classified as national disease, such as
provokes a curative upheaval. The mass is
SO great and the self-interests of each af-
fected group so distinct that concentration
is difficult at this stage. That eventually
the lines of disturbance will all come to
focus and effect a revolution in fact may
not be questioned. But how long will this
require, and what will it cost?