New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-16
Policeman Bureaucrats
Caught in Their Own Trap
Russian Chiefs, Doomed to Play Kaisers Game,
Waited Too Long Before Attempting to
Check Indignation of People

SvStem-tne leaders Oh lHS army ~"
the democracy realized that the gov
eminent was working for defeat.
This state Of affairs developed about
a wear ago. Boris Sturmer, reaction
ary and pro-German, became Russias
Premier. He got his high post THANKS
10 the influence of Rasputin, the monk
who dominated the Car and the Gar
ina. Rasputin was the centre OF
group Of charlatans and German
agents. To win Rasputin's favor was
sufficient 10 make one q minister IN
Russia. As the monk believed IN a
separate peace between Russia and
Germany. it is obvious why he sup
ported Sturmer. A close collaborator
of Rasputin. an international swlndier
and spy, Misunderstanding oe-
came the private secretary OF the nus
sian Prime Minister. J.,
Since then a battle royal was waged
in Russia, battle on which the tate
OF civilization hinged. On one side
were Rasputin, Sturmer, several court
functionaries and some reactionary
bureaucrats. These will go down IN
history as the dark forces On
the other hand stood the army, the
Duma, the nobility, the entire nation
Suffering Unites Country
Never was Russia so united as in the
last few months. The chaos created oy
the government caused the suffering
Of all. Policemen. tchinovnlk, CossacK
or workingman were alike affected by
the lack Of food. In this sense, the
food difficulties precipitated the reyo-
luton, For they intensified popular
feeling against the government. They
made the people think more than ever
before. And this led TO realization
on the part of the entire nation that
the government was traitorous, incom-
petent and inefficient.
This was the foundation upon which
the success of the revolution rested
The Russian government had no sup
mort whatsoever in the ranks Of the
nation. II was wholly and purely the
creation of few intriguers. 1t was
supported by rot more than two or
three hundred people In the empire.
II is true, these people were among the
most influential in the country, but
without the support of large popular
following the government could nor
exist.
Conditions became critical in Russia
last November. The disorder in the
food supplies strained the relations be
tween the government and the democ-
racv 10 the extreme. When the Duma
convened the nation waited breathless-
Nv for the coming developments. The
leader of the Duma, MiliukoR, bitterly
attacked Premier Sturmer. This attack
led to the resignation OF Sturmer.
Protopopof Retained Place
For moment it seemed that the
Duma had triumphed But Protopopotf,
the Minister Of Interior, who was a
protege of Rasputin and friend 81
Sturmer. retained his post in spite OF
all protests. The newly appointed Pre-
mier. Trepotf. was anxious TO get rid of
Protopopoff. But the latter's connec-
ton with Rasputin secured his position.
The situation grew more and more
acute every day.
Dark rumors OF separate peace
spread from Russia. The army was
aroused as never before. For the Rus
sian army wants to vindicate its de-
feats in Poland. The Russian army
and the Russian people firmly believe
that had il not been for the govern
ment's treason Poland and Lithuania
would never have been lost to the
Teutons.
An attempt was made by some of the
leading figures in the Duma and IN the
army TO reconstruct the government by
the elimination Of Rasputin. The monk
was killed about ten weeks ago. IL was
hoped that that would lead to the over
throw Of the hated Protopopoff. But
instead it~caused the downfall Of Ire,
poff. And Protopopof's power Increased
even more.
New Repressive Measures
Protopopoff inaugurated series OF
repressive measures that were calcu-
lated to paralyze Russla,s hghtng ca,
pacitv in a brief time. The big social
organizations cooperating with the war
Ministry in the prosecution Of the war
were put by him under police regula-
ton. The army and the Duma made
every effort to Dust Protopopoif. But
he was invincible. He defied all Russia
He became menace that had to be re-
moved at all costs.
Protopopoff thus precipitated the
revolution. He and Sturmer are re-
ported killed. That ends the career
Of the dark forces" in Russia. All
that is efficient and intelligent in that
country will now come TO the front,
A new leaf has been turned in the his
tory of the great Slavic nation.
There can be no doubt that hence
forth Russia will be ruled in the man
ner of Great Britain. The fact that
Michael Rodzianko. the President OF
the Duma, is the head of the executive
committee responsible for the revolu-
ton. means that Russia is to have
fully constitutional form of govern
ment with a Ministry responsible TO
the Duma.
The appointment Of Prince Lyof
Premier is in itself Of tremendous I'M
portance. A man of high ideals and
wonderful ability, he will hrst OF all
organize the nation for the prosecu-
ton of the struggle against Germany
In this work he will have the coopera-
ton IF tta entire nation.