Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-03-01
Gernlany'S Design in Russia.


Germany's reported purpose to restore the mon
archy in conquered Russia quite in keeping with
Potsdam politics. While there never any love
lost between the Kaiser and the Car, Hohenzol-
Ierns and Romsnoffs. together with the oppressive
and parasitic systems which revolved about them,
had the strong common bond of autocracy in an
increasingly democratic world. At the beginning
Of the present war there scant difference
sentiaIly between the ruling element in Germany
and the ruling element in Russia-except that the
latter, being systematically weak, could be bent
easily enough to its neghbors strong and efficient
VIII. Nowhere in the world perhaps was German
so extensive and effective as in Rus
IN officialdOm. Indeed, it was among Russian
eiciaIs themselves that the German Government
found its servceable agents in their country. The
Petrograd bureaucrsts were in many instances
toriousIy pro-German while Russian soldiers
were falling and dying by thousands at the battle
front. The work Of the infamous Sturmer whose
treason rendered unavailing the military genious
of commanders like the Grand Duke Nicholas and
Brusiloff. typical OF much that went in
Russa's mOnarchic circles.
II is not surprising, then, that Germany rs
sidering the restoration Of the monarchy in Rus
STA merely matter Of political business if for
no other reason. The thought occurs, of course,
that the BoIsheviki have serv-d the German pur-
pose so well that it would not be amiss from the
Kztssrs point of view TO keep them in service
der some other name. We may be sure that Ger
many even though she succeed in fostering anoth-
er monarchy m Russia. will take that IT shall
be weak, as weak as the Lenine-Trotzky regime.
She win take care, too, that it shall be nearly
brzinEess as its routine duties will permit. But
Pruzsaznfn fnstinctiVely would prefer an autorat-
lie rather than democratic form of government in
Russia Prussiznism fears, and not without rea-
son. the Influence Of even so quixotic a sort of
democrscy as that which has been "cavorting' in
Russia for the last ten months The Hohenzollern
group pereefves clearly enough doubt that, Civ
sn time and fair chance. the spirit Of democracy
World build itself durable habitation in even so
bevfldeped a land as Russia And that we believe,
WIN be the final outcome, though the end be yet
many years or many decades away. II has been
truly observed that sudden leap from autocracy
to an opportunity for sef-government will
create real democracy than the mere rising from
bed will make a sick man well Heaven may send
men liberty, but they themselves must earn free
dom, and it through toll and travail
The German wish to keep Russia monarchic
Is at bottom a wish to make it and keep it Ger
man. Whatever royal family OF autocratic system
might be set up at Petrograd would depend upon
Prussianism for support and indeed for existence.
Where else in all Europe in all the world could
military help in the event of another revolution?
Germany is the notable nation whose windows
have remained shut against the light of democ-
racy which for the last hundred years more has
been spreading across the earth. Hohenzoern
Germany is the important nation which the
spirit of the American declaration of independence
has not inspired and influenced. And as long as
Hohenzollen Germany stands it will be the one
seat of autocracy to which tyrants can turn for
sympathy and aid. IT, then. the monarchy should
be restored in Russia monarchy, that is to say
such as Prussianism would countenance-it would
be bound to Germany by every tie of seIf-interest
and of necessity.
Thus there would be established in fact if not
in name, German Russian alliance which would
be an incalculable menace to the world peace and
freedom. Such alliance would create anew and
in more terrible form the issue for which the pres
emit war is being waged. For with the resources of
all Russia organized and at its disposal miIitaristic
Germany would be more than confident of its
power to dominate the world and more than ever
bent upon ACKNOWLEDGMENT. The Russian situation
therefore is a peculiar reason for the Allies
pressing on and remaining resolute until German
miIitarism is crushed once for all Only thus can
Russia be saved for democracy. Only thus can
another and more tragical war be prevented.