The Washington herald., 1907-09-06
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER s, 1857.


There have been many outside OBJ
servers who have gone TO Russia for a
time and. coming back. have told US why
lt is that a nation once so powerful should
now be apparently so much on the de
cline, but few of these diagnoses have
any element of authority about them. II
is. therefore, interesting TO hear from a
native Russian, such as Prof. Ivan
OzerOv. who in a recent issue of the
Russkoye' Slovo tries to tell the outside
world why it is that Russia has dropped
behind other nations. It is an editorial
utterance similar in its import to William
Allen Whites famous What's the mat
ter with Kansas"
Prof OZerOv has 10 confess that Russia
works but little and learns but little and
that this is the reason why in all do
mains Of activity foreigners get ahead Of
Russians. For a long time, he points out.
Russia has created nothing. and though
it has now begun 10 set 10 work, the
beginning IS rather hard and is not likely
to show results for some time. There is
trait, he points out, In the Russian
character which makes its people like to
reap without sowing; 10 paint great pic
lures without the necessary studies in
art; and this, Of course results In the
stamp Of tncompleteness on all that Rus
sia does. He points to the United States.
What energy they develop therei What
schools they have established and what
d new type Of man they have created on
the other side of the ocean, he cries
And then he points 20 Russia's Iassitude
and indifference and shows what an in
significant role Russia plays I'm the eco
nomic circulation. not only as compared
with America, but with other countries.
He goes at some length into figures
that show the balance Of trade, and
points out that Russias part of the
worlds trade has been only per cent
All the other countries are progressing
remarkably, but Russia remains immov-
able, He says:
We are inclined 20 boast about some branches q
our mduszies-L e. coal and cotton goods-but
when We put our industries side by side with the
industries Of the world We see clearly how humble
position Russia holds even On these lines Her coal
production l2sO0OO0 tons out Of 70 67 ss tons
Of the coal production Of the whole world. The
United States is coming in with 22S.7I7579 tons
DO We not possess wealth. We are wealthy. very
wealthy but We sleep and our wealth sleeps in the
bosom Of the earth We do not need 70 mention
our navy here' Russia win have TO make all Efforts
to create new navI. How faI back ws are in the
construction Of railroads. teIegaphs and other roads
and ways of communication But while we produce
little. our public debt grows and grows and what is
stll worse its greater part We owe 70 foreigners
To pay tie interest Of cur debts We have to sell our
las crumbs and send the amount abroad hard
position iudeod.'
Prof. Ozerov has no specific remedy
for the evils he points out He contends
however. that Russia, above everything
else, needs capital, and that as its own
capital IS insufficient foreign fnanciers
and industries must be invited. He urges
that Russia should grant concessions for
the equipment Of the country with rail-
roads, even II such concessions have TO
be granted to foreigners. Above all. he
believes that Russia should be made to
feel the sting and spur Of competition.
under which impetus. he thinks. the
national life and energy may reawaken.