The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-07-20


 the American-R Russian Chamber or Commerce. MT. Boynton, who is now in Petrograd, has forwarded to the | orxanizatton, of which he is president, | a statement on the conditions in Rus siat, in which he presents an opti-l 1za1stic view of the Russian outlook. | WliArever separate peace has been mentioned, 1t hsa been howled down with indignation, hs writes, Efforts made by the Russian extremists to create disorders have been overthrown not by armed force but by the force of public opinion eff in the future ap-' peafances in Russia should seem alarming" MT. Boynton asserted, the real situation will be in the hands of a ministry composed of the best Rus-3 sia can offer.r He predicted that the task of re-organizing the governments policies will be accomplished before msny months
 Industrial operations. according to Mr. Boynton. would at present meet insnrmountable obstacles owing to the'l reauirements of the war; but he de- clared that American capital and mer- chants interested in the Russian field should lose no time iA preparing and eauipping themselves for the huge commercial business which, in his op- dnfon, fs certain to be co-incident with the end of the war. Mr. Boynton's statement follows:
 ssThAt one may have 4 fair and just appreciation of the events which have taken and are yet to take place in Russia. it is necessary to understand the psychology of the situation. A na- fion under rule of absolute autocra ey for eentnries suddenly found itself an absolute democracy. Almost over EniKht autocratic Rusgia became the most liberal democracy in the world. Liberty, freedom and equality were lproclaimed and political exiles and aeitators were admitted within her borders from wherever arriving. A nation that had not dared to express 1fs individual feelings or opinions. either in writing or in speech, was re- leaed from all restraint. Years of re- pressed ideas and sentiments were able to find full vent The government has allowed every phase of political dis cussion, and even that of such an ex- trernist as Lenin, to proceed without Interference and refused every sug- gestion of repression. If under these circumstances there should be a bab- ble of conflicting opinions and some fanatic agitation, it is not only under standable, but indeed quite natural. The wisdom of the policy of permit ting unrestricted assemblage and dis cussion was evidenced in the quick stamping out of 1anarchistic preaching by the power of public opinion.
 .srhis was no planned nor even or Eanfzed revolution. It was spontan-i eous -outburst of dissatisfaction and fresentment against existing rule so tunanitnous that an Empire became a democracy with the least bloodshed that ever overturned long establish ed reign. Keep straight before you lthe fact that this has been political revolution. The problems now con- 4 cfaI and political. Social evolution must follow political revolution. In a nation 50 huge and of such diversi- fled interests. time. courage and pa- tience.must be allowed for clear un- derstandins and adjustment. The mar vel is that with restraint and control absolutely removed, disorder has been son inconsequential-
 g 'eThe probabilities from the dangers of discrGanixation were enormous, es- pecda11y as many criminals were set at liberty, and yet there has been no ixanda1isrn and no invasion of personal rights except the few local instances located in the centre. of violence dur Efng the days of the actual revolution. lThe se1f-restraint and moderation shown by the entire nation is the best tribute to its sobriety, solidarity and reasonableness and the best promise of what the. future has in store. The Russian people are naturally home loving and of peaceful disposition. They are neither arrogant nor quar- relsome. Asitators may temporarily cloud their point of view by mtsrepre- senfation and selfish design, but just as certainly they will return to their normal psychology.
 s.To understand the demonstration of May which on it's surface looked
 menacing and grave. 1t must be kept in mind that in Russia such demon strations are the only method by
 which popular opinion can find ex- pression. There has been no suffrage and therefore the ballot was repre- scented by so-called demonstrations
 whatever further occurrences of this sort take place must be 50 interpreted On the day of the 21st, May 8, Greg brian calendar) when the government took its positive stand against the ex- tremists, if was possible to see in these demonstrations the quick turn in pub lie sentiment. Within two hours after the anti nti-government parade passed UT s the Nevsky,- the streets were filled
 with cheering supporters of the gov.
 ernment and the effort of the ex-
 trenists to create disorders was quick
 ly overthrown, not by armed force, but
 by the force of public opinion. The
 Soldiers and Workmen's Deputies de.
 nied responsibility for the agitation
 and investigation proved that the
 whole movement came from agitator'
 with interior nAttives- The result ha,
 been wholesoft.s and q decided strengthening of the governments DO
 Gition.
 '1t zhould not be overlooked shas