Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-08-15
PLAYING GRANDPA TO RUSSIA.
(From the San Francisco Bulletin)

(From the San Francisco Bulleun)
1t Is one OF the most curious facts in the recent
history Of public opinion in the United States that
we should all be finding so much fault with the
Russian revolution when we had so little to find
with the czar. We all pretend to hate despots and
love democracy, but few Of us--particularly among
those who make speeches write for the news
papers and magazines were anywhere near 80
severe with the Black Hundreds as we are with
certain exuberances of the Workmens and Soldiers
Council. Pictures Of the car and descriptions of
his happy family life attracted American readers
up to the last moment. We were all pleased to
know that Nicholas was spoken of by his faithful
subjects as "the little Father" and we were moved
almost to tears by the touching affection which his
soldiers were said to have for him.
This, we felt, was truly democratic, though it's
forms we're so different from ours. We had attain
ed the point in thoughts on this subject where
we could hardly see the difference between govern
ment by the people and government by benevo
lent despot. If these appearances belied us it is
because the opinions Of our supposed intellectual
leaders not so representative as is sometimes
thought. This can hardly be true however, for in
advance of such prompting quite large number of
US have been disposed to regard the revolutionary
upheaval with grave grandfatherly suspicion, and,
like King Canute, have urged the rising tide to
come no further than the line we have drawn in the
sand for it's guidance with our walking stick
Revolutions do not behave in this way. Our own
revolution did not, the French revolution did not
and Russia's will not Russia may accept die
tator because her people are convinced that such
is the only way to meet the situation but she will
not take this step any other on the advice of
American conveutionalism. It is bitter pill for
US to swallow but the fact is that the Russians who
are now in power do not regard the United States
as competent to play the tutor to them in govern
ment. They will not rely on us for advice or com
mendation. They are trying to please themselves,
not us. Behind their struggles looms the spirit of
centuries Of suffering, endured by a race far more
homogeneous than our own, with literature and
arts rooted deeper into the soil than ours can be for
many generations. Our history and national ge-
MUS, fitting as they may be for u.s. do not fit us to
lay down laws for Russia If we live up to our
principles will leave Russia to work out her own
salvation and not accompany her heaving of the
earth with our bubbles to it's lack Of grace and
Ceoorum. The alternative to this is to set up a
kultur worship of our own on the German plan and
thrust it down Russias throat on the point of
bayonet, also on the German plan. If we are not
willing to do this we should 60 the whole way in
the other direction and be tolerant and even hum
ble Our experience on this continent has taught
us great deal, but it has not taught US the whole
truth about humanity. If Russia can learn from
u.s. as she can, we can learn at least as much from
her.