The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-16
BY SAMUEL N. HARPER.

The Russian coup d'etat is the log
zeal elimination of the political situa-
ton of these last few months. In
November last, when the duma con-
vened a complete change of the gov
eminent system was demanded. The
government had shown again its in
efficiency, this time in connection with
the distribution of the food supplies
of the country. The government was
| actively interfering with the activity
| of the public organizations working
to support the army and to solve the
many problems raised by the war
And finally some members of the gov
eminent were suspected of pro-Ger-
maniSm.
/ Fear of Premature Peace Offer.
| 1t was not considered possible for
, a moment that Russia would betray
her allies, but it was realized that the
| then Prime Minister Sturmer might
| put his influence forward for a pre-
mature conference of the belligerents,
such as Germany did in fact later
propose.
On all these grounds the duma de-
manded definitely a responsible gov
eminent, ministers responsible to the
representative bodies. This demand
was supported by the upper house of
the Russian parliament, half of whose
members are appointed by the sover-
eign. And behind the duma were
these public organizations in which
| all classes were repreSented-land
owners, peasants, members of the lib
| eral professions, manufacturers and
workmen-in fact the Russian people.
A few days after the duma had is
/ sued it's ultimatum, the ministers of
war and of the navy addressed the
duma reporting upon the work of their
| departments. praising the public or
CARNATIONS that they were working for
| the support of the army, and stat
| ing that there must be cooperation
between duma and government. A
few days later the prime minister
resigned.
Retained Pro- Germans in Office.
The new prime minister appointed
attempted honestly to work with the
/ duma. He tried to rid himself of
colleagues in whom neither he nor the
duma had confidence. He failed,
however, and was in turn dismissed
and a frankly reactionary minister
was appointed and those members of
the government whose names had
been mentioned in the pro-Germau
/ intrigue. were retained in office, the
date for the reopening of the duma
i was postponed.
/ When the duma convened finally on
/ February 81, it declared that the new
government did not represent respon-
Sible government. In the meantime
Tue IOOd SITUATION IN the large
centerS had become real crisis. There
was danger of disorders brea king out.
Then came the edict dissolving the
| duma. After trying moral pressure to
no purpose, the duma had to resort to
revolutionary methods.
The revolution is a purely political
revolution with the single aim of es-
tablishing responsible government, the
duma leaders will be able to hold the
confidence of the people, for they are
acting in accordance with the popular
| demands definitely voiced by the all
comprehensive public organizations
mentioned above.
Army and Duma a Unit.
These same organizations have made
| it possible to bring off this revolu-
ton rapidly and without much vio-
lence.
The duma is supported by the army
for the army would have starved but
for the work of the public organiza :
tons, the presidents of which are
among duma leaders. The fact that
the army is behind the duna also &C
counts for the fact that this revolu-
ton was attended by a minimum of
disorders.
The revolution is political but not
and-dynastic. Every effort was made
to convince the emperor that he could
safely trust the people, that the people
| were really loyal to him and whole
heartedly back of the war but it SEEM
ed impossible to gain his ear. Con-
stitutional government was the de-
mand of the duma and is the object
of the revolution, but the monarchial
idea is firmly established in Russia
and the movement was directed not
against the ruling dynasty, but against
the irresponsible ministers who were
either deceiving or at least giving bad
counsel to their sovereign; Finally