The Washington herald., 1908-07-12
Rnssin,s Message.

III uIty years Europe VIII De all COS
sack or all republican" said Napoleon,
and had he added a century to the time
the prophecy would have been capable OF
literal fulillment OF course. he intended
his "Cossack' 20 be the allegorical repre-
sentative OF governmental oppression. and
his republican" TO be symbolic Of the
rise of the people as the principal factor
in democratic government. The tide Of
the stream Of liberal politics is rising and
must ultimately wash away the last YES
tige of medlaevallsm. answering ROus-
seau's question. after a lapse OF time, as
TO what kind of government will form
the best men," and forever shattering the
old polite Illusion that the vital question
Of statecraft is what kind Of govern
ment is suited TO the men Of the time"
The growth OF this principle I'm Russia.
for ages the strongest Of oligarchies. is
most timely, forcibly, and philosophically
set forth in ''Russia's Message" by VIII
liam English Walling. who has given
years OF study 10 the subject from his
torical, political and social viewpoints.
augmented by several years spent IN per-
sonal observations CLEANED from direct
NbuNANl WIN Allc HtNpAt VI NllolA 40
writes. The book is OF paramount inn
portance as bearing on the general. sub
ject showing the growth OF democratic
spirit in the vltals Of what Is accounted
the most unrespOnsive group which forms
part OF the entire body polite, for Great
Britain France Germany, and % an ap-
preciable extent Italy. have long since
shaken of the spirit OF impassive submis-
sion. and II the seed OF resistance has
taken such firm root. in fact attained such
healthful growth IN Russia as he says.
there is strong reason 20 believe that
government Of the people. by the people,
and for the people" viii In another cen
tury dominate the whole world,
In his opening chapter. "Why Russia
is the field OF the great experiment" Mr.
Walling quotes Anatole France, "On the
banks Of the Neva the Volga, and the
Vistula, the fate Of new Europe and the
future Of humanity are being decided. q"
which according to our Anglo-SaXon
lights. is a mistake. for we consider that
the spirit OF social and political liberty
had its first fruitful conception IN Eng
land. spread 70 Germany and France. and
is now beginning 10 leaven the heavy
Slavic dough. Although there may have
been some earlier vague mutterings heard
Az NAllNl NUNlll u.s. " all 0LNkllA A.uAl III
came the first concrete realization OF the
thing, and though. perhaps. some ele-
ments Of perfection are yet lacking still
the results are eminently satisfactory. and
II all the other nations reached the same
degree Of freedom. there would be little
use for such books as MT. Walllng's
But unfortunately just such books are
still needed 10 show the pitiable condi-
ffgfa of mankind In etrph RI. Eprra-
sin. and 10 arouse the feeling and Invoke
the sympathy OF her more fortunate sis
ter nations. He takes up the subject
categorically unher the captions. The
birthplace OF social freedom" "Oppres-
sion.' Revolt" Evolution OF new
nation" and Revolution and the mes
sage" and under the second lies the most
potent feature OF his work for nowhere
have We read a more lucid and thrilling
description Of the Cars governmental
system and policies. or a more damning
arraignment Of its results. IL is narra-
tive which makes the most revolving
stories OF the Dark Ages" seem like an
episode Of a beautihed period. and I'm IL
are fOreshadOwed the inevitable result
When the yawning giant at last fully
awakes he viii go 90 the fullest extremes
Of retributive action.
In the remaining chapters we find a
succinct description Of the Russian peo-
pie. their life. their character. and habits.
and clear insight into the forces which
are moving them. and their relation 20
church state. and bureaucracy. with the
forecast Of results. The observations OF
the peasants. the wOrdngmen. the clergy.
and the aristocracy are obviously those
accruing from a keen mind brought 90
bear on the subject, learnihg from actual
contact, and with just appreciation Of
the influence Of such men as Rousseau IN
the past, and Tolstoi and Gorky In the
present. Taken altogether. the book is a
fearless statement Of facts as understood
by the author, full OF powerful political
philosophy. and a strong plea for sym
pathy Doubleday. Page & Co. New
York