Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1917-10-19
n. COLDER DESCRIBES
RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
:, Making Events in Petrograd
Epocii ~
related by Eye Witness to
Pullman People

Very entertaining and highly in
native was the illustrated lecture
Russia given by DR.. Colder of
- history department Friday even
:. in the auditorium. DR.. Colder
-, recently returned from Russia
- was in Petrograd during the
..rolution that caused the downfall
! the old autocratic governme nt.
n eyewitness to many turbulent
lanes in the Russian capital, the
.ooaker interspersed his address
IN numerous anecdotes of personal
experiences.
The lecture was given for the bene-
~ of the Red Cross and the speak
~ Introductory remarks laid par
Hcnar emphasis on the need of Red
rross workers and medical supplies
m the Russian front. The Russian
,roops in action are suffering acutely
rom lack of medical attention." he
,ssured the audience.
According to Dr.. Colder there were
,onr principal reasons for the over
throw of czarism. In the first place
he monarchy had been so rotten for
Years that it quickly crumpled at a
real show Of force. Secondly. large
numbers of students and liberal
thinkers entering the army at the
mtbreak of the war were in a posi-
lion to Influence the ignorant SOL
diers against the goVernm cnt on
ghom they placed the blame for all
the evil conditions of army life.
Third since the veteran soldiers were
sent to the front men were recruited
from the population of Petrograd to
act as guards for the city. These,
mnging freely and on friendly
terms with the city people, refused
10 hold them in check when they
rose against the government. Lastly.
over confidence on the part of those
in power was in a large measure re-
sponsble for their failure to. put
down the revolutionists.
DR.. Colder painted vivid picture
Of the chaotic conditions that exist
in Russia at the present time. The
Russian people never had any prac-
tiee in government and they are try
ing to bring about reforms on the in
slant that other nations. better pre-
pared, have been unable to effect in
years. Ninety per cent of the people
can neither read nor write and are
easily swayed by a few leaders,
fanatics for the m ost part Agents
Of the German government have been
caught red-handed endeayoriGg to
get control so that peace might be
made with the Kaiser. Their secret
work has even been extended to the
soldiers in the trenches.
American people must 'Hooveri2e'
the allies are to carry on this war
successfully. | say it advisedly-not
more than 10 per cent of the people
IN Europe have enough TO eat No
one has what he wants to eat The
enc
speaker emphasized this plea with
slides showing bread lines in Russian
cities.
In concluding, DR.. Colder related
MS experience of travelling with the
american commission as they caught
up 10 and passed the train which bore
me deposed m monarch on his funeral
exile INTO Siberia; of the rumor that
'ne imperial prisoner was travelling
win the Americans, the revolution
is'S IN their excitement searching the
uain for the ex-Czar But Nicholas
II was safe in his coach and slowly
Out surely approaching the exile into
"nich ne had sent SO many thousands
" innocent people. This was the end
VI autocracy in Russia.