The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-03-17
This Much for Russia,
Anyway, Out of the War
One good thing may come out of the war

One good thing may come out OF the war
n warns the heart OF mankind 10 think 80.
To those persons who have persistently As
serted Il IL a struggle OF democracy against
autocracy, ws eonceds this much; IL has given
Russia an Opportunity TO bring TO a head the
democratic sentiment; the viii for representa-
tive government: the overthrow OF bureau
cracy which has been fomenting and seething
In that country for the last so years.
Could the people Of Russia have organized
had they not been composed OF so many races
had IL not been so vast a country. this thing
would have come about by the natural evolution
AIRY process OF human development long ago.
But IL was geographically impossible 20 get
the Russians together and revolutionists, called
Nhilists were obliged 10 work singly or In listle
groups and By such futile means blowing into
atoms a grand duke. now and then, and hanging
for H.
Russia has been well equipped for this small
sort OF revolutionary warfare. she had half
continent behind her where unruly could
be sent la droves. like cattle. chained together
aud driven over hundreds OF miles OF snow. and
never be heard from again.
She has felt secure In the strength OF her
grand dukes and the savage hold OF her church
on her ignorant people. that she (the govern
ment) has failed 20 see that anything could be
done BY them beyond the periodic disturbance
70 which she was occustomed.
Their rights were never considered and on
Bloody Sunday when they met before the Win
ter Palace 10 bring their complaints before the
Little Father" an ancient right OF their coun-
Try the Little Father hid in the palace and the
troops were ordered % NOV the people down.
which they did with much satisfaction, children.
women. all
Though apparently futile. the revolutionary
movement did bring about the creation Of the
duma a parliamentary body elected on re-
stricted franchise. In 1905. This was great
step in advance. the nearest step toward con
- - ~
achieve. The advance. however. largely |
shorn Of It's power BY the right OF the car 20
prorogue the body AZ his discretion. and take the
reins into his own hands in any critical situation
his own hands being these Of the grand dukes. |
the bureaucracy.
In 1906 the new duma. whose function was !
supposedly. to advise the car in legislation, |
sought 10 bring about q complete constitutional !
system and was Immediately prorogued. This |
happened again in 1907 and At intervals ever
since.
But prvroguing dumas and dissolvfng pariia.
ments-tzking away the rights OF the people
are dangerous means to an end in time OF war. |
The government. then, cannot stand alone
II must be upheld by the masses or II falls
Generals and officers without armies behind
them are useless.
The people are organized; they are serving
their country: they are part OF the government
and when that government fails to recognize |
this and takes II upon itself 70 set them aside 1
they are In a position TO revolt
Ihs - what haH happened In Russia today
Whatever the immediate reason. makes no |
difference In the main issue
The people of Russia have claimed Russia for
their own.
They have stood for democracy and freedom /
heretofore In small bodies.
They have suffered and bled and seemingly |
thrown their lives away In this holy cause and |
now they are able TO do II in sufficient numbers !
TO make their power felt
III democracy can prevail In Russia: II the |
ant fhn
Greek church can be broken; the people can !
a. last come into their own. the European
an indirect OF this new liberty.
viii not all have been In vain.