Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-08-27
SAY A NEW RUSSIA
WILL FOLLOW WAR
Travellers Tell of Wonderful
Developments in the
Mighty Empire.
SEE PROSPERITY AHEAD
FOR THE CARS SUBJECTS
Nation Ready to Welcome American
Capital and Enterprise-Ste.y
of Present Conflict.
Correspopdcnce of the Associated Press.

OF Present Conflict.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.
STOCKHOLM, Sweden. August a
Americans. Englishmen, Frenchmen, re-
turning through this neutral gateway
from the wide domains of Russia, all tell
the same story of the wonderful awaken
ing of the great northern empire COM
mercially and civicly as well in the
gathering of military resources to carry
the war to a successful conclusion.
Americans in particular seem most
deeply impressed with the changed con-
ditions in Russia and are the most san
guine as to the future of that country.
They say there is something akin to the
old call of the west In the fast-opentng
opportunities and the wide-reaching re-
sources of Russia which sends an anxious
tingle through the veins of every Ameri-
can business man or prospector who has
delved into Russian conditions as they
exist today. and who is far-sighted
enough TO see the prosperity that is in
store for the Russian people.
1t may be one of the anomalies OF an
anomalous period In history that bar
barous war shall teach people of $780,
UUUUDU souls the ways ana the benefits
of real civilization and enlightenment.
And yet that is what American travellers
in Russia all agree is taking place. Many
thousands of lives are vet to be sacri-
feed at the Austrian and German fronts.
but it is now agreed that there will come
back from the firing lines an army of
millions of men trained, disciplined,
schooled at least partially IN the laws of
hygiene and right living, educated in
degree beyond anything contemplated a
few years ago, well fed, we'll clothed and
ready to take their allotted place in the
commercial upbuilding of the empire and
the civic upbuilding of the people.
Peasant Is Transformed.
The story is told of how. under war
conditions. the peasant. with only pieces
of bark for shoes and bag for cloth
ing, unkempt, ignorant with regard to
every phase of better living, Is brought
into the city or training camp. fitted
with shoes and warm clothing, put
through a "setting-up" course and
taught for the first time what his
hands. his feet and his brain and body
can do. The change wrought in so
short a time as fourteen days is said
&c be marvellous Regardless of what
may be the conditions in other coun-
tries. it is literally true in, Russia that
army life has more comforts. more ad-
vantages and more educational value
than the average Russian peasant ever
dreamed of.
1t is predicted now that when this
great army comes back from the front
its members will not be willing to go
back to their old methods of life, but
will help in the evolution of a new
order of things, help to bring the vast
nation of the north to state of eff
cheney which will make 1t dominating
world power in deeds, perhaps, as well
as in domain.
ed Russia will have had in her army or
in training no less than $4,000. 900 men
-25.0oO0oo men trained to a degree
of at least comparative efficiency. ready
to throw their power into Industrial
energy in field or factory.
Russia Expects Revolution"
But oftentimes the returning travel
ers ARE met with the question. VIII
not the sudden awakening of the peo-
Pile. coupled with the menace of SO
many millions trained to arms, logic
ally lead to revolution" The answer
invariably Is that Russia expects revo-
luton, but IT is generally believed 1t
will be political and not clash at
arms. There will be an evolution of
tremendous intensity, and. 1t remains to
be seen whether Russia has the states
men skilled enough to handle this evo-
luton in a manner to prevent 1t be-
coming a real revolution. 1t is said
that if the powers that be will recog-
nize the needs OF the changed situation
following the war, all in good time,
Russia will safely pass a crisis even
greater than the throes imposed by the
European war
The correspondent of the Associated
Press IN Stockholm has talked with
scores of American business men, bank
ers and others who have spent several
months in Russia. and there has not
been a pessirnistic note In a single in
terview. On the contrary, most of these
men have had TO guard themselves
against overenthusiasm, they say, and
all agree that Russia offers a field for
American capital and American bust
ness enterprise far beyond anything
the people "at home" have ever imag-
ined.
The traveller to Russia is impressed
OF course, by the soldierly and military
activity. Troops are everywhere. One
American traveller said he read upon
some ammunition boxes the directions:
do not spare this ammunition. Use it.
There is plenty more behind it"
a very different condition from the
spring of 1915. when many Russian bat
teries are said to have been sent into
action with scarce ten pounds of shelIs
apiece.
Factories Running Night and Day.
Factories in Russia are running day
and night turning out munitions OF war.
clothing and the varied necessities of
the empires multimiIIions. AmAricans
have said they were surprised at the
large number Of factories, especially
between Petrograd and Moscow. Other
factories are going up with feverfsh
haste. and everywhere. II seems to the
Traveller. railroads are under conStruc-
tion. Many OF the lines are new, while
others are being doubIe-fracked Men
:nd women are working side Dy side on
the railroads. the women handling picks
aud sh1ye!s with even greater strength
aad effect than many OF the men.
There is work. work, work every
where-and not drop 10 drink" said
an American banker on his way back TO
America.
In the prohibition OF vodka most Of
the people who have visited Russia see
the real foundation for the Russian
renaissance But war conditions
brought about the ukase which abol-
ished this abuse Of alcohol and set the
Russian people firmly on their feet.
There is no doubt that certain inter
ests will attempt to legaIize the sale
of vodka once the war is over, but
American travellers say such 4 move
will meet with short shrift.
1t is now claimed that the enorrnou
growth Of savings bank deposits since
vodka was abolished is one of Russia y
greatest safeguards against widespread
revolution. for the man with u bank
account Is neither anarchist nor a
revolutionist. He has a property" in
and such an interest always has been
a let ANT If Nrfnl