The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-12
u, l.. ~CU>LITFE-ow IN.


IT to the Duma that Grand Duke
Nicholas Nicholaivitch is in
| leh;'d FOR his remova, from the
post az Generalissimo OF the
srmed forces Of Russia on land and
sea. just three weeks ago l described
IN these columns the attempt made by
the Radical party IN the Chamber of
Deputies al Paris, which takes its
orders from eN-Premiers Caillaux and
Comics. 20 shelve Generalissimo
Johre. To- subject the direction of the
rm.,s 30 ;He field to the control of
leg. -a'ivc rommittees and to revive
the system Of 1898. when commits
s.oners 81 The Revolutionary Conven-
ton. such as st. Just. Lazare Carnot,
&c, were vested with extraordinary
powers 20 harry the Generals at the
front and To- regulate their military
activities. Thanks to the publicity
given by the newspapers to this
scheme, in spite of the censorship OF
the press, the project was defeated by
the wonderful manifestation of popu-
ar confidence in Generalissimo Joffre
and iv his direction OF the military
forces NJ the nation which it served
70 cal, for.h, and the gallant old SOL
died still. remains in supreme COM
mand.
But IN Russia Grand Duke Nicho-
las, one II the greatest soldiers pro-
dlced hy the war, whose mastery re-
treat owing 10 shortage OF ammuni-
ton has aroused even still greater ad-
mlra'.oU among military experts than
his invasion of Germany, his seizure
Of Gal.c!a and his destruction OF the
Austrian strongholds there, univer-
sally regarded as the strongest, o
powerful in Europe, has been sum-
marty ousted from the Office OF Cen
era,!s,imo by the action Of the Liberal
and Radical ma. rity OF the Duma at
Petrograd, He has always been an
object OF particular detestation on the
part ~ the present Duma and of its
predecessors. for the reason that he
has invariably resented parliamentary
Interference with the army not only
IN times Of war but also In those OF
peace.
He has taken the attitude h a the
direction and control OF the army were
an exclusive prerogative of the Crown
and that the Duma has no concern
herewith, save TO vote each year the
necessary supplies. He was forever
urging his cousin the Car to abstain
from everything that could be con-
. stFuef as an alienation, ever so small,
OF his sovereign prerogatives In mill
tary and naval matters. and quite
naturally in consequence thereof was
credited by the Duma and by the
friends Of Parliament with being vio-
len'ly opposed to all popular forms OF
government and a champion OF i'm
per'al a%utocracy.
That the Duma should have been
abe TO accomplish that which the
Chamber Of Deputies in Paris has so
Nngultr.y failed TO achieve in a
para..n. case. namely, the overthrow
o' the Generalissimo from the very
he'ghi Of his power at a moment when
ne was booked upon as the strongest
man OF the HatiOn, stronger even than
inc lawful ruler. marks the inaugura-
"'h ~ a new era in Russia, namely,
an era OF legislative supremacy and
control, Hitherto the Duma has been
treated at home and abroad as
'h'hss In thenature OF a joke, as a
mere ,rayesty on foreign Parliaments
ana as at the very best a sort OF safety
'a'Ve for political oratory and as a
cohinittee 10 which the Government
might occasionally apply for advice
ABOUT trlfIng matters.
IL was regarded as possessing no i'm
Portancc and as carrying no weight.
what contributed to this undoubtedly
was the fact that 1t was divided up
mo lnnumerable rival factions, among
winch It was impossible to arrange for
uhy concerted action.
Inc war has had the effect Of chang
ing all this. The danger by which the
umpire Is confronted has by degrees
nad the result Of uniting the Liberal.
ehe Progressive and the Radical ele-
nehts OF he Duma, indeed, In wedding
All the various groups OF the Chamber
a " the Conservatives into a COM
pac' body with a general programme
., political action and possessed Of an
Seosether overwhelming majority in
A Nm