The Nome daily nugget., 1915-09-24
RUSSIA THEN AND NOW.

Russia today Is not the Russia of four and five decades ago. so graphically de- pieted in Tourgeniefs Virgin Soil"- the Russia of wasted energies, of slov- enly conducted industries. of intolerant mobility, a submissive and benighted lpeasantry and reactionary govern ment unattuned to the age and wholly unresponsive to the needs and ambi- lions of the masses.
 It is not, as then. an anonymous Russia" beset with intrigue, eternally combating revolutlonists led by schol- larlv dreamers. impractical visionaries an0 the blood seeking forces of an- archy.
 Russia has advanced. Reforms have come through enlightened leadership possessing the patience and wisdom to wait holding itself in restraint, sub stituting example of industry and thrift for futile propaganda, and content to Iaccept slow but certain progress toward better days.
 In industry Russia has learned much from the hated German and been taught
 Tn the art and science of government Russia is more proficient in spite o1 the still deterrent influence of an all- powerful nobility and corruption in of Ificial life. inherited and inborn, impos- Isible as yet to overcome
 r. But. with advancement and the de- Ivelopment of her inexhaustible re- sources. Russia is yet an unwieldly twasteful, scattering, unorganized coun- it anew It finds it unprepared fight ing stupendously. but Intellectually.
 Formidable in numbers, 1t is i'll equip ped for offensive or defensive warfaI e In efficiency it offers weak contrast with the other allies, and with Germany is no match at all. Its industries ob- viously are not operated to the maxi mum of capacity, though less sloven and wasteful than in Tourgeniefs day and the handling of war supplies from other countries is clearly far from ex- Ipedous. But Russia is learning-slow- ly. surely learning-and in the humil- Hating lesson of defeat will it become the stronger Spurning overtures for peace from her efficient foe, invasion will certainly make for more stubborn resistance and warning to better pur. bose
 To any other nation in Europe sucf reverses as have been sustained by Russia would be conclusive of defeat Hts sheer bulk of resources, men and that minimize the effects of its defeats land makes recuperation a matter ot o.ay a few months time.
 The great reaches of Russian terri tory cover one-seventh of the land sur face of the globe. It's population is ap- lproximately 1S0,000,00 It is capable of protecting within it's own limits all of the necessities of it's people. It is protected from successful invasion by
 both great extent of territory upon which no army could live and by the lrigors of it's winter climate.
 Russia is increasing in population faster than any nation in Europe. Its birth rate is 45 per 1000, more than twice that of England, one- third great Ter than Germany, and nearly three ftimes that of France.
 So far as the number of it's soldiery extends Russia has more men available than it has so far been able to arm With the arrival of the great shipments of arms and munitions now on the way the nation will be able to place more men in the field than it has had al any previous stage of the war. A defeat of the proportions of the recent Russian reverse, to the allies or the west front of the war, would prob bably be decisive. To Russia it means only the delay of offensive operations The maxim, "Misfortune has come open the door," is Russian of the past Don't foroet the biu special sale a