The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-10-13
Russians Eager to Learn.


Russians Eager to Learn.
While parts Of the address were inter
estingly descriptive Of Russian people
the country and the customs of its in.
habitants, Mr. Duncan did not forget the
real meaning of his subject and "Tht
Soul Of Russia" was admirably inter
preted by the speaker. From the mo-
ment the commission was greeted by the
first workmen's council in Vladivostock
until the members left for their home
land, the Russians showed undisguised
eagerness to hear from the Americans.
There were councils for workmen, for
soldiers, for finance and for civic affairs.
Criticism of the councils as voiced in
American and European newspapers
should have been more merciful, declared
Mr.. Duncan, as the people did the best
they could under the circumstances and
their endeavor first, last and all the time
was TO attain democracy. Eighty per
cent of the people are illiterate and the
old regime successfully opposed any
move which would have taught the peo-
Pile to think for themselves. In defend
ing the councils formed partly as a
makeshift, in Russia, the speaker pointed
to the councils which Cromwel's Round
heads founded and used advantageously
in governing England.
Many interesting sidelights on the
Russian character found place in the
address For instance, the commission
was given the private ear formerly used
by the czar. The speaker uncovered a
cribbage board used by Nicholas Roman
off, citizen land an undesirable one at
that, interpolated Mr. Duncan, and
game between labor's representative and
Colonel Hudson, an attache designated
by General Scott, was played to deter
mine whether industrialism or militarism
should be in the ascendancy. Mr.. Duncan |
gleefullv announced that industrialsm |
triumphed Invariably whenever the |
train stopped Mr.. Root, chairman of the |
commission, spoke first and was followed |
by the labor representative, as the peo
pie gathered at the railway stations were !
eager to hear of working conditions in
America and loudly shouted for "Dunca,
as Mr.. Duncan's name was pronounced in
Russian. A skilled interpreter accom-
panied the party. The speaker said that
of the committee were very
careful to explain what democracy has
done for America and that the first
thought of the Russian people should be
Of their young democracy.
The Russians love America, continued
The speaker, and everywhere this country
was spoken of in the most friendly tones
Above and beyond everything else they
admire America, a fact which is due !
nea sureably to President Wilson's al
most instantaneous recognition of the 4
lew democracy Immediately after the
evolution, a move which undoubtedly Z
,pened the way for early recognition by
european countries Ambassador Fran :
is is held in high esteem by the Russians !
md the iliterates look upon him a. their 2
avior Once Mr.. Duncan quoted from 2
.lr. Root address in the winter palace.
where the commission was quartered and
hen from the reply by the Russian min o
ster Each statement indicated the good
manifested in dispatching the mission .
nd its reception in Russia. The speaker +
lso quoted from correspondence which Il
assed between him and President vii 5
on before the journey to Russia was
often under way. Turning again 10 In
.ussian conditions, he told how each in I,
ividUal in the mission had a duty 70 II
erform and asserted that all did their
ork well Reorganization Of the Rus Il
an church, which was left without s
cad when the car abdicated. was q,
rought about during the stay Il the
immission in Russia and nov the men RI
power are religious men and not rul 8
= Much was done IL the way II giving n
Twice 70 the minister az finance and the
ilitary side If the mission was not ri
-glected Mr. Duncan denounced the So
tion preachers. many II whom. he said. "a
me from the East SIDE in New York. fir
lme of them were Russians bv birth IN
ho had spent much time in America