The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-18
Rasput;,,'s Place

(By Alexander Yablonovski in The Russkoye Slovo
Moscow, translated for the New York Tribune.)
Don't you think that Gregory Rasputin greatly
resembles that legendary moujik who said III
were king would steal hundred rubles and in
dulge in eating pork all day long?'
Really, capricious fortune has bestowed upon Ras-
ness-a lot of vodka, lot of beef, lot of en-
brodered shirts, a lot of money and lot. a whole
lot. of feminine pleasure
But behind this idylsof the Siberian moujk the
real tragedy of all Russia concealed.
He who sought prestige and power only to be able
to steal a hundred rubles and eat plenty of pork
suddenly by mystical authority. acquired this pres
tge and power and became before the eyes Of all d
legendary dark force running the affairs of the
nation.
History will demand no account from Rasputin,
for he of immature intelligence. Ras-
putin in all probability did not realize what he was
doing.
But the titled Doors, the glded lackeys. who be-
hind the coarse back of the siberian moujk gambled
with the interests of the state theyths gold plated
refuse of the race-wil have to the challenge
Of history.
For the biography of Rasputn- was no secret to
| his worldly worshppers. The outstanding features
| in this biography printed periodically in the
| press But this did not prevent Rasputin from be
coming the ruling spirit in the aristocratc and bu-
! reaucratic spheres.
| Cabinet ministers and bishops, princes and counts
barons and baronesses-all ran to pay their re
| spects all stood up their hind legs before the
| Siberian moujk.
| But why did they act so? Why did the prince.
and counts hold their women back from contributing
so mysteriousy to Rasputin their feminine respects:
The explanation is very simple: AS "middeman'
! Rasputin unique and irreplaceable.
| He was accessible to all. He was inexpensive
He elementary and in every respect simple ans
convenient
| Imagine a protector" whom one may address a
the first meeting by the first name: to whom NJ
| roundabout approaches necessary; with whom
no complicated ntrigues needed who will talk
care of your affair for small monetary reward o
for feminine Charms"
| Why, in the underworld of the upper class in tn
realm of intrgants charlatans and political adven
turers this was not man. but veritable treasure
And not in vain would the political adventurers O
all ranks say: IF there were Rasputin it woul
be necessary to create one"
But in this inundaton OF low intrigue there wer
under water rocks which Rasputin did not observ.
He did not notice that he had gathered about him
coalition OF all hatreds. He did not realize that h
was himself a tool in the hands OF others.
He liked beet, he liked the sound of 1oo-rubl
banknotes, but he hardly liked evil for its own SAX,
He had no conception of the role fate allotted
him in Russian history.
Practically the entire historic role of Rasputi
consists of the fact that he united all Russia in
general hatred for the dark. irresponsible forces
The imperial duma. the imperial council, tn
united nobility. the social organizations the press
all We're permeated by the same conviction-namel
!. that it was high time to remove from the Russia
political arena the government gamblers.
More than that, Rasputin became even matte
Of concern to Europe. The foreign press printe
articles about him. The foreign ambassador
cahled long reports in code to their governments
connection with him. But, of course to Europe
was more of sad anecdote than a historical fac
To us, the other hand, he was not only a fact,
n was era.
: We have experienced immeasurable humiliation {
account OF him. But this humiliation has fus,
g Russia into single body. creating citizens out
{ human pulp
&C All our life fought the irresponsible b,rea,
IS cracy. Our literature, our press our science. O.
parties-all, according to their resources pluck
y the roots of this rotten plant. But how big we
the results Of our half century Of labor?
And then a Siberian moujik appeared and again
J. his own will he cut the arteries OF the dark forr
he stamped it in the mud splitting at the very pr
n ciple, the very idea. of autocratc bureaucracy
This. and this only. is the providential meani
N Of Rasputn in the history of Russia.
CpE