Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1906-07-14
THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.


shed and will surely take many years to COM
pete. The best presentation of the Russian
revolution has been made by Anatole Leroy
Beaulieu, noted French historian, who being
aaked to sum up his observations said
at should be understood that the Russian
situation is one Of actual revolution. It is no
crisis which can be by measured days, weeks or
months, but is a vast and complete transition
resembling that of the French revolution.
When say revolution do not mean that the
monarchy is certain to be overthrown, although
it is possible that this may follow. The better
part of the leaders of the Constitutional Demo-
crazy desire to save the throne from wreck, but
they recognize that they not masters of the
future. If the government does not satisfy the
nations demands, catastrophes of the gravest
nature certain for Russia.
PERSONALLY, | think that the overthrow of
the throne would be great disaster, for that
would mean anarchy and probably civil war
"Arbitrary autocracy is doomed" he con-
tinued. Indeed the disappearance of the auto
cracy is inevitable as civilization advances and
theory of government changes and the print
tive idea that power decends from the ruler to
the power ascends from the people to the ruler.
All that the present monarchy save at the
best is power within constitutional we'll de-
fined limits.
"The emperor has good intentions, but he
knows very little of his country outside of the
limits of the palaces. He is always hestitating
is himself terrified by the lesson of the French
revolution, and does not wish to have the same
end as Louis XIV. although he forgets that
Charles L., Of England arrived at similar end
by another route. Perhaps it is already too
late to save the dynasty, but the emperor might
stay the storm by conserving to a ministry
representing parliament He has already lost
much time and the feeling of discomfort is in
creasing.
NJ Leroy Beaulieu then discussed the
agrarian question, which he said is the most
difficult problem owing to the intense feeling
among the peasants. The government had
counted on the peasants, who considered
to be devoted to the emperor and the church,
but, having received { portion of result of the
emancipation of the serfs, the peasants ex-
pect more. The government recoils before the
enormous cost of partial or total appropriation
y
satisfies the expectations of the peasants he
will transform them into an opposition element
and perhaps into revolutionists
"The question Of nationality is almost =,
equally difficult continued n. Leroy Beaulieu
''tor since Finland secured autonomy Poland |
and the other branches of the population de-
manded the same autonomy They all,
doubtless, entitled to this, but believe in leav-
ing to future determination which of these
peoples have enough national cohesion and
maturity to he entrusted with autonomy. If
outside OF Finland there is such country it is
Poland. What new Russia wants is the re-
verse Of Old Russia. The Old, centralized
shonld be replaced by adequate local
self. government
NJ. Leroy Beaulieu said that he struck
with the tenacity with which the Jews demand
many the same civil and political rights as
Christians
There are 100000 Jews in Russia" he
said, land if SO many OF them found
among the revolutionists the reason it to be
found in the exceptional laws to which they
are compelled to submit. The Jews thus be
come irreconciliable adversaries of the govern
nent, which obstinately refuses them the
RI ghts accorded to others. THUS the reaction
lists count on the Jews and this is why the
police incite brutalties against the Jews, like
those at Balystek. Even if the ministers are
ize these butcheries, which proceed under the