The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1917-07-06
Conditions In Russia.

A new Russia has been born as
one of the results of the greatest Up
heaval in the annals of civilization
The revolution" of March, and the
abdication, was distinct surprise
to all not familiar with the history of
Russia for the past half century. All
who had followed the internal de-
velopments for the last generation
knew what was coming. They knew
not when the glad hour would ar
rive, nor did they expect the war
to hasten the final accomplishment
in so rapid and energetic manner
The dethronement of autocracy and
the establishment of democracy was
the logical result, the natural cul-
mination of long process. The
last physical act was revolutionary,
it is true; but the moral victory was
won long before.
Once begun, with scarcely no blood
shed and within eight days, the abdi-
cation took place and the movement
for liberation" which had its incep-
ton in the emancipation of Serfdom
in 1864, emerged triumphant as a
Russian democracy. This event,
which is calculated to profoundly af-
feet the human race, in one sense
was not revolution" although that
is the term usually employed where
reference to it is made. 1t was the
emerging of that Russia which had
been educating, planning and or
ganizing for half a century.
The introduction of the principles
of local self-government by Alexan-
der II in 1864; the establishment of
the Zemstvos, which were local coun
ellis elected by the people to conduct
the beneficent functions of the gov
eminent, were the first bold steps
to change the political order, and the
Duma which came as a result of the
1906 Liberation movement was the
next. AS result aiSovereign was
forced from his throne and Grand
Duke Michael was confirmed as a
constitutional ritter. The Zemstvos
and the Duma exercised great in
fluence' and were of great education
al value. Progressive legislation,
such as the law on land settlement.
which permitted the peasants, who
had redeemed the land allotted to
them at the time of emancipation to
receive it in one lot and not in wide
II scattered tracts. The law of OBJ
llgatory primary education, together
with other beneficent laws, resulted
During these years economic condi-
tons improved, encouraged the peo
pie and augmented the upward
trend; Industries developed and CO.
operative organizations lightened the
burdens and improved the general
conditions.
While all this was transporting there
was strong undercurrent of oppo-
sltion. There was a reactionarv
group undertaking to "police" the
entire country and keep society un-
der surveillance. The greatest sue
cess along this line was that of con-
trolling and combining, through the
Minister of the Interior, public eff
forts to narrow limits. 1t is true
their efforts failed, but Russia paid
dearly in time and energy. Two
years and half passed before Rus
STA awoke to find that reasonable in
trlgue was engaged against consti-
tutionalism. German influence was
felt In all of its tremendous power on
internal politics in opposition to the
adoption of more liberal policv
Members of the Government became
involved, resulting in disclosure of
the real situation. In this is now
seen sufficient explanation of Rus
sla's failure to organize a full mea-
sure of her resources and to pre-
serve that feeling of unity and har-