Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-20
A Nen Russia.


Up until the revolution Russia's part in the
future of the war and in the equally momentous
issue of international reahgnment after the war
a subject of much anxious speculation. 1t was
clear that the empires energies and resources
not counting they ought to count in the
cause of the Allies 1t known that the Court
and the Bureaucracy were permeated with German
influence 1t was rumored that Berlin's overtures
to Petograd for a separate peace had been renewed
with promising effect. Beyond these disturbing
portents doomed the possibility, or, some observ-
ers believed. the likelihood OF postbellum alliance
OF Germany, Russia and Japan-a coalition OF east
dynasties against western democracles. put
the revolution has changed the entire prospect
From the tyranny and intrigue it has overtnro"n'
a new Russia energies to fight better in the present
conflict and TO stand with the worlds liberals In the
years ahead.
The reactionary and the pro-German influences
in Russian politics have been virtually one They
have opposed the advance of parliamentary power
and the growing demand for popular rights. They
have stood stubbornly in the way of economic re-
forms and improvements which were needful to
strengthen the conduct of the war. They lacked
understanding of the nations true character ana
they lacked sympathy with its heart and purpose.
The overthrow of the reactionartes is the END OF
pro-Germanism, and clears the way for prosecu-
ton of the war with all the patriotism and power OF
which Russia is capable.
It is not to be expected that the problems result
ing from bureaucratic mismanagement can be
solved forthwith Time will be required to right
the conditions which have hampered the army from
the outset of the war and which more than once
have been of almost fatal consequence. But Win
incompetency and disloyalty in high places expei-
ed the processes of reform can work swiftly ana
unhindered. The country's resources IN meh'
munitions and food are abundant. 1t only remains
TO turn this material to full account When TINS Is
5one. Russia's part in the war will take on meal
cuIablv heightened significance and force, and the
Central Powers will feel the clutch of giant at
their throats The Grand Duke Nicholas, trusted by
the people and idolized by the troops is expected
IN take command of the army fact which OF IL
seIf would send thrills of enthusiasm along the en-
tire Russian front.
II Is profoundly significant that in this crisis
the Duma has stood by the army through all the
hitter seasons of bureaucratic bunglng ana pro-
German intrigue. And now the army even lts lore-
most generals stands by the Duma in its master
.,roke for Russian emancipation This means, If
it means anything that Russia's future hes alone
the great high road democracy, and that her IN
tarests and sympathies will draw her, politically
toward England and France and America rather
than toward Hohenzollern alliance.
This is a matter of essential concern 10 the
limited States Imagine militaristic Germany com
ing out of the present war unvanquished. Imagine
her drawing an autocratic Russia and a monarchlc'
ambitious Japan to the support Of new scheme
for world dominion The Atlantic and the Pacific
would not be broad enough to bulwark America
against the menace of that alliance. What Ger
MANY would do If she could, we learned authenti-
csIlv from the Zimmerman note to Mexico what
she could do If her energies were free from other
tasks and reinforced by powerful allies only
another terrible war could determine IL is hardly
IN be doubted however that if German=Russian-
Jauanese coalition were formed after the present
war and directed upon German lines the Monroe
Doctrine along with other policies and principles
for which our republic stands would be challenged
to a Iife-and-death issue.
, Such coalition was In no wise merely lmagl-
nary There is good reason to believe that IT was
broadly implied in the peace overtures from Berlin
to Petrograd and was favorably regarded by the
Russian Court and Bureaucracy. But the new Rus
sia faces another way. Its lot is cast with those
that love liberty. It's affections and interests will
draw it instinctively toward league of nations,
such as President Wilson has proposed, formed
not for intrigue and adventure but for the main
tenance of the worlds peace basis of justice
To all nations and freedom for all peoples. The
Russian revolution means not only a new Russia,
hut new Europe and world