The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-26
RUSSIA;S POSITION.
Attitude Of the Social Democracy To-
ward the War in Europe De.
scrihed BIZ the Editor Of "ROssIa."

bVEIvtu W tut uIt VI heVNNbos
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir. /
read an interview in THE U with Pro-
fessor Max s. Mandell. In the course
OF this article Professor Mandell ven-
lures to predict that there will he a
revolution In Russia. He bases his pre-
diction on statements contained In a sim
gle. unsigned letter he has received from
my country. In c~ontravention Of his
claims I wish TO offer for the considera-
ton Of your readers certain n%controver-
tible facts.
The pale OF Jewish residence has al
ready been abolished. as far as 1t con-
Germs the Jewish population or the area
affected by the war. This was done on
NDxust IL last by a resolution of the
Council of Ministers. confirmed by the
Emperor. The general law regarding
the pale can be abolished only by the
legislative bodies themselves.
While the Duma was In session all
the speeches mad by the members of
that body conveyed one meaning and
only one meaning. namely nat the war
would be prosecuted until complete VIC
tory was achieved.
We know that in preparing for the
war Germany fomentcd a revolution In
Ireland and Al Instruction In Petro-
grad. We know very well that the Ger
man agitation In Russia doesn't spare
any means to excite trouble but we
a arrive at a full appreciation OF the
result OF the German e~ndeavors best by
considering the u~tterances OF such lead
ers of the Russian revolutionary move
ment as Prince krapotkin, Burtser and
the prominent leader of the Russian
Social Democracy. PlckhanoT, all of
whom say that the prosecution of the
war against Germany Is the only thing
at present vitality necessary to the we'll
being of the Russian populations and
the only duty OF Russian democracy.
In his letter to the former member of
the Dunn Burianof, dated from Ge-
neva, Switzerland. July 81. 1915, Pick
hanoT. leader OF the Russian Social
Democracy, writes
DEAR C%oMRADE: I'm writing you this
letter though ! am not certain that Il will
roach you In Petrograd. The convening
of the Duma IL approaching. The cir
cumstances under which 1t viii he con-
vened are not only exceptional but critl-
cal. one can say that our Russian land
has not been In such a dangerous position
since the time Of the great troubles AT
the beginning OF the seventeenth century.
She must align all her powers for self
defence. and 1, would be extremely sad "
our par;isans hindered this self-defence
Of the Russian people by some III cons!d-
cred step.
II Germany should succeed In las,oing
tho neck OF Russia the first to suffer
would be the Russian proletariat and the
Russian working people generally. In
view OF this Il II quite clear that you and
your comrades among the other Social
Democratic members OF the Duma simply
cannot vote against the war credits. Make
reservations. they are necessary. but vote
.of the credits To vote against the
49, t. -ala.fl - $50. -
and TO refrain from voting would be COW
srIice. Therefore. vote for them,
Read this letter to Comrade Chkheidze.
and tell him that I conjure him by all
that IL sacred to pay attention to this
my letter. I have heard that he intends
to enter. or already has entered. the Coun-
ell OF Defence. II this IL true tell him
that | warmly commend the step and
advise you TO follow his amp
You must pardon my giving YOU this
counsel when YOU ala not ask for advice,
but the time Is an exceptional one Re
member. dear comrade. tina. In me present
tim" il is Impossible. to be against tn
peoples defence. | nope YOU will write
IN. as follows. we knew that we should
d. this even before you advised US to"
] Viii he only too happy to receive such
a rehuke 1t vi prove 10 me that m"
comrades have arrived I'm good dine a,
an understanding OF the circumstance. I
beg Won. II YOU are Of the same opinion.
20 discuss the question with other com
FADES In the Duna. and wire me: he
quiet"
This letter gives the best possible def
milton OF the attitude of the Russian So
cial Democracy toward the war. the ma.
t.onal war. The basic reforms OF tho
Russian State will come without any
revolution. because the attitude ~ the
Duma proved that the Russian people.
under the blows OF the war. have ripened
for them. The fate OF the 5.oO0.OOO
Jews IN Russia cannot be changed in
one month, but the resolution 10 better
il has been proved by the Duma and
the Government. and in ~usequen the
great movement OF the Jewish revolu-
tionary organizations IN Russia has lost
it's bitterness. All these considerations
oblige me TO believe that there IL no
cause for. and no operatives TO conduct,
a revolution In Russia.
As to official graft. the supremc COM
mission IN retrograd appointed TO in
quiro into the conditions surrounding
the supplying of war materials mas vet
to announce its findings. only when IL
does can We ascertain the extent of
the lies and SANDERS rumored by the
enemies OF Russia and excited by Ger.
man agents. :. y. SYRoMIATNtKoTr.