Newark post., 1915-01-20

Modern History, University of
Pennsylvania, delivered the second
of the historical series Of lee
lures, held in the College Ora
tory during the winter. The
speaker discussed "SOme Basic
Factors Of the European War, -
baSing his conclusions on a personal
investigation in Europe, within the
last six months. The greater part
of the discussion related to condi-
tions in Russia and England, the
countries recently visited by DR..
Lingelbach. The speaker early
last June arrived in Russia, where
he took up his residence, in order
to study the language and the soc
iaI conditions of the people.
In order to understand Russia,
we must remember, the speaker
said. the size Of Russia. The coun-
try is tremendous; it is huge-so
huge that we cannot comprehend it.
1t comprises ome-siXth Of the terri
tory of the world; it is fOrty-twO
times the size of France; it is three
times the size of the United States
without Alaska. There are 175,
100000 Russians. Three millions
are added every year, by an in
crease of births over deaths, yet
Russia is the most thinly populated
country on the earth. Western
Europe is comprised Of nineteen
political divisions; eastern Europe
Or Russa-is one political unit.
Geography has established well de-
fined boundary lines on every side
of Russia except on the west, where
the plain extends into Prussia.
Here there is no natural boundary,
and the result has been constant
friction, over a period Of many
years. One hundred languages
are represented within the borders
of Russia, and the people of one
section are unable to understand
the language Of another.
Perhaps the most noticeable
characteristic Of the country to a
stranger, is the ignorance Of the
people. Seventy per cent of
them cannot read or write. This
condition is not strange when we
remember that not more than one
hundred years ago Russians were
sold in the open market. Serfs
and cattle were Intentionally put
in the same category by those IN
authority. Other reasons for the
backwardness Of Russia may be
found, the speaker said, in her loca-
ton. She is not on the way to
anywhere. In spite of her huge
size the population is twenty times
less than England, fifteen times
less than Germany, and twelve
times less than France At least
four-fifths Of the population is un-
touched by the press and education
One hundred twenty-five millions
Of the people are engaged in agri-
cultures. In 1899 there was only
one doctor~for every 1000 per-
sons.
A second characteristic that can
not fail to impress the student of
Russia is the presence Of a great
church. One sees ON the street two
kinds of clergy: the black and the
gray. The black clergy are un-
married and live in the converts
the gray clergy are compelled to
marry, and are the pastors Of the
people The feeling within the
church of Russia is very demo-
cratic. Here noble and peasant
alike meet in their hours Of wor-
ship. There are no seats in the
reat cathedraI-all the congrega-
n worships standing. The music
hcse churches is wonderful.
rther characteristic of the
people is the intemper-
lower classes. This has
ne Of the Russian pea
"ations. The govern
! a sum equivalent
nuaiIy from the
}cohoiic drink
IS been for
outbreak
war.
re child
gh the
is enor-
Eear is
position
may be
ongs 1t
LingeI-
.ws the
ndS that
strong
decision,
one that
s not as