New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-02
BY Nj. Philips Price

PETROGRAD, Dec. THE Western
Allies are inclined 10 be impatient
with Russia and to complain Of the
breakdown Of the Russian army and
the increase Of anarchy.
The revolution, it appears 70 be
imagined, was caused by those who
were dissatisfied with the Gar for not
carrying on the war with sufficient en-
ergy. In fact, it is pictured as a sort
Of palace revolution, where ore set of
rulers turns out another.
Therein lies the fundamental mis-
take which the Allies have made in
their dealings with Russia. They made
no attempt 10 find out where the real
forces that made the revolution lay.
They look upon Russia as a young race
horse upon which they have put high
stake and which they hope will win,
but they have not carefully examined
the fetlocks and joints for the defects
Of the young animal.
Gar a Poor Groom
All the more risky is the stake when
it is remembered the horse has been
living in bad stable end attended by
a still worse groom, Nicholas Roman
off. For this reason il is imperative
20 know something about the way in
which the masses of the people look at
the war and the revolution.
The people Of Russia are plain, sim
pie peasants, living a homely life upon
a land where ways of communication
are poor and trade apparatus is imper-
feet. After three years of the most
destructive war in history, it is nat
ural Russia should be TIE first to snap
under the strain.
But perhaps the Western Allies can
send some engineers to put the rail
ways in oIder and get a little trans
atlantic push into the dreamy Slav.
Ii may be thought that if some cargoes
of boots and rifles and machinery are
sent TO Archangel Russia will pull
around and be fit for another three or
or four more years Of war.
Problem in Psychology
] used TO think that at one time, but
when ! came 10 know Russia bit bet
ter / saw the problem 10 be faced lay
much deeper. We are dealing here not
so much with a question of material
force, but with a problem in human
psychology. All the more persuaded
am | of this after a recent journey in
the interior Of Russia.
The other day on one of the Volga
steamers J was leaning against the
railing of the third-class section. All
around me were greasy Russian peas
ants, Films, black-eyed Tartars with
skull caps, women, squealing babies,
NANCY dogs, mountain of baggage
and smell enough 70 knock one fat.
, In these surroundings | got into a
conversation with a Russian workman
from one IF the skin factories on the
river bank He began by telling me
how he used TO live in the days be-
fore the revolution, when he used TO
work eleven hours a day and his wages
came to about so cents a day
He was not allowed TO be a member
Of a trade union, because these were
regarded as illegal bodies.
Victim of Oppression
One day he was found with a pam
phlet which contained printed matter
calling on him TO unite with his fellow
workers to improve his condition. He
was at once handed over to the police.
Impressed into & y army and driven off
20 the front. He.e he had been wound
ed twice, and each time sent back TO
the trenches.
Needless to say. the comments he
made on the government and the prop
ertied classes were not complimentary.
Since the revolution he has become a
member Of the local Council of Work
mems and Soldiers Delegates and of
the professional alliance.
Now his mind is entirely absorbed in
questions of how 10 insure himself
against sickness and accident and how
to stave off famine the coming winter.
If had talked to him about the need
Of destroying Prussian militarism he
would not have understood. Prussia
Law 1000 miles away, and as for mill
tarism he had lived under it all his
life, so be knew it was not confined to
Prussia.
A little later ! got into conversation