The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-03-16
CAR ADVOCATES.

Press dispatches at this writing
have failed to state the fundamental
reasons for the upheaval in Russia
The fact that Car Nicholas has alb
dictated indicates that the uprising is
not of an ephemeral or sporadic ma
ture.
Linked with this news comes the in
timation that Germany, too, insists
on throwing off the yoke Of military
and paternalistic bureaucracy.
Just what effect developments in
Russia will have on the war no one
can predict. 1t has been known for
some time that there was unrest in
Russia and Germany over the admin
istration Of the food supply. Prlvl-
leges Iwere enjoyed by one class de-
MED to others and speculation COM
bined with governmental graft were
prevalent in both nations.
These doubtless were contributing
causes to demands made in Russia
and Germany for a more democratic
form of government and the wiplng
out of special privileges under which
both nations have chafed, ..-.. r..
ssBut there is little similarity between
Me situation in Germany and that in
Ahssia excepsaupon the surface. The
GermaA leaders are merely yielding
q a popular demand for more repre-
sentatife government but any dras-
tic actbn is to b HAased until the
war nears an end, if, of course, the
people themselves do not insist upon
immediate steps to relieve the pres
sure of present economic conditions.
It is in Russia, however, that inter-
est attaches now. Car Nicholas has
abdicated in response to popular clam
or, surely historic epoch in Rus
sian history, blackened by despotic
deeds ever since the days of Peter
and Catherine.
The assassination of Rasputin re-
vealed to the world the political un-
rest in Russia. There has been two
strong undercurrents, one friendly to
the Entente and the other seeking to
force Russia to make a separate peace
with Germany.
In addition were the economic con-
siderations which took form in food
riots at the capital and like demon
strations. These may or may not
have been inspired to obscure the
underlying and fundamental political
motives for the upheavel.
Until the censorship is lifted and
the world knows what kind of fer
Inentation has been going on in Rus
STA since the war broke out, it is al
most impossible to discuss with any
degree Of accuracy the significance of
the movement in its various aspects.
On the surface it appears as a very
violent protest against an autocratic
form of government and a move on
the part of the progressive element
to bring Russia nearer to .consti-
tutional monarchy.
His abdication may mean more
vigorous conduct Of the war. Rus
STA has been torn by internal dissen-
lions since war was declared. Her
military showing has been miserable
to say the least.
Reactionaries at Petrograd would
rather face national disgrace than
yield to the claims Of people. Priv
ilege has become more sacred than
patriotism.
The Russian people evidently have
come to realization that if they are
to win this war, such leaders as Stur-
mer and Sukhomlinoff, of Teutonic
leanings, must be removed perman-
emily from spheres Of influence.
When the clouds of revolution have
lifted the world may see United
Russia; 9. people who have found
themselves.