The daily Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1916-1917, 1916-08-20
Internal DisSention and Strife
Is Broken BY Hardship
of the Conflict.
ARE LOYAL TO CZAR
Duma and Other Bodies Rally
to the Support of the
Nation as a Whole.
POPLAR SPIRIT IN RUSSIA
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS


PETROGRAD. Aug. 2O.-Twenty
four months of war has made a new
country out of Russia. The spirit o
the people has changed. Confirmed
pessimists admit that the war has
worked a miracle.
Two years ago. when fighting began
Russia like England and France, was
torn by internal dissension. Her
many races we're at odds. A strike OF
serious proportions was on. Things
looked dark for the Empire.
Russia today is more united than
she ever has been. She is better or
ganized Every city and town in the
land belongs to a Municipal Union to
aid the nation. Every village and rur-
al district has joined a second and
similar organization. In all Russia
including Siberia there is scarcely a
single peasant not working for the ar
my OF some public good
Took No Part in National Work.
Up TO August. 1914. of nearly 200
million Russian subjects. few had TAX
en- direct part in any public or nation
al work. They are today nearly all
doing their bit This fact is lending a
brand new tone to the Empire.
A war of gigantic proportions makes
or breaks a participant. For Russia
this one promises to be a blessing in
disguise according to VIGOROUSLY con-
servative thinkers here who believe
they see in the wartime spirit of the
public the commencement of unprece-
dentei development
The Russian Duma is composed of
Princes and Peasants. millowners and
workmen. college professors and far
L.ers. Jews. Gentiles. Poles. Cossacks.
Orthodox priets and free thinkers, so
mixed body with such varied inter-
ests that peoue yau33TlYaRa
ests that people have said il never
could do valuable work because il new
er could agree Here is what hap
pened in the Duma when the war
broke out:
On August s. a week aftr hostili-
Duma Cheers the Gar.
On August s. week after hostili-
ties began, the two houses met al the
Winter Palace of the Car. The En-
peror made a short speech. saying:
81 am persuaded that all of you will
be in your place TO assist me to support
the test. and that all beginning with
myself. will do their duty. Great is
the God of the Russian Fatherland."
A great cheer went up from the
Duma. One by one party leaders
came forward and pledged themselves
TO work for the common good Even
Purishkivich. the implacable leader of
the anti-simites. abandoned his prin-
ciples. Today the Duma places the ar
mv'S interests first.
This no time TO squabble over
reforms" Radzianko. the Dumas pres /
ident replied when ! asked him if any :
important reform bills were on the |
present sessions program. And again, .
when asked him why such short ses-
ions and ong recesses. he said: /
"Duma members are mostly farmers.
We can do more good for the army
blowing than we can talking"
Duma Is Representative Body.
The Russian Duma is probably the
most really representative body of
fhe sort in the world and when its
president said that he was not merely
sounding a phrase II was evident
that he was in earnest Every Duma
member with whom talked said the
same thing
To take advantage of Russia's sit
uation and use it to force through
even cherished reforms appealed TO
Duma-ites as unfair. They feel that
rows in the Duma would weaken the
nation in her fight for life.
Citizen organizations for aiding
Russia make war have made it pos
sible for millions to take part in pub
lie work who until now never knew
what such work was like. This is
boosting the spirit of the country
Ahead Of the United States.
Imagine every county of every state
in the United States having a coun-
ril Of representative citizens-farmers.
landowners. villagers. Now if every
one Of these organizations joined in a
single body to help the American ar
my do its work. such an organization
would be similar to the All-Russian
Zemstvo Union. only-there are near
" 30 million Russians. so per cent
Df whom are peasants and thus either
or indirectly interested in
work II
Imagine again every city council
,r board Of aldermen in the United