New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-03
Attitude of English Press
Irritates Masses Who
Overthrow the Car
Joy Was Expected
Russian Democracy Also Had
Sympathized with the
Irish Rebels
BY ISAAC DON LEVINE

The Russian masses are displaying
an unf-iendly attitude toward Great
Britain. Minister Of Justice kerensky
recently confessed TO such a change of
sentiment on the part of the Russian
democracy with respect to England
This phenomenon is largely the result
Of the English treatment OF the Rus
sian revolution.
Tho Russian revolution was received
~ the English press with very little
enthusiasm Some OF the leading Eng
lish papers treated the revolutionists
~ anar,h ists. and took n very different
s'and toward the now regime from that
expected by liberal Russia. Tho dom
iraut ncte in all English comment was
fear of the possible effects on the war
and not jubilaton over the downfall of
Gespotic Czsrism.
The Russian correspondents in Lon
don were shocked at the attitude Of
England toward their freedom.
Much Expected from England
They expected so much from free
England" wrote THE Manchester
Guardian on the subject. "Herc, at
least. they thought, the SCATTERING of
rigid bureaucracy, the dethronement OF
an absolute ruler whose mentality was
such that an erotc monk could decide
the fate of ministers and governors,
and the ending of the whole iniquitous
system of police rule that Carbon
meant. would have been welcomed with
single shout Of JOY. Instead of that
they found a general patronizng OF the
revolution, fearful columns about the
| Gar and his spouse. even explanations
Of Protopopoff's misguided attitude and
a general dstrust of the Russian peo-
rle."
The unfrendly English attitude pro-
duccd an irritating feeling in Russia.
But even more provoking was the OK
preston of appreciation for the Car,
whom MiliukofF had characterized as
chat old despot." made by Lloyd
| George in the congratulatory telegram
to the Provisional Government.
Much as we appreciate the loyal and
/ stcadfaSt cooperation which We have
received from the late Emperor" was
/ part Of Britain's message to the new
/ Russia Such a reference toward the
man whom popular Russia hates pro-
foundly could not but shock the Rus
/ sian democracy.
| THE London Times" has printed
since the revolution numerous insinua-
/ lions about the Russian revolutionary
masses. Since the latter are the dom
| mating force in the new regime, any
slurs upon their character would nat
urally cause a feeling of resentment
against Great Britain.
Russian Journalists Protested
Soon after the revolution the CORE
| spondent Of "The London Times" wired
from Petrograd that Jewish students in
some parts of Russia were making
trouble. This was untrue and caused
| the Association Of Russian Journalists
/ TO send protest TO the British govern
ment and TO the London Press Associa-
| ton.
The Irish question is another sore
spot in the Russo-British relations. The
Russian people sympathized with the
/ Irish rebels Of last year. The execution
OF Sir Roger Easement produced a de-
pressing effect on the Russian democ-
racy. The latter felt that Great Brit
aiu's alliance with Czarism had cor
rupted her.
Britain's and old Russia's common
I imperialistic pursuits in Persia never
were popular among the Russian
masses, who are essentially pacifistic.
The bond between the Romanof
dynasty and England was always in
comprehensive TO the oppressed Slavic
nation. which could not understand how
great democracy could ally itself with
the most tyrannical autocracy on earth.
This is another big factor in the pres
ent state Of mind of the Russian peo-
pie as regards Britain.