The Cordova daily times., 1919-02-14

pie generally are peaceful and seem
to have regard and respect for the
laws which were in existence at the
time of the abdication of the car.
Guerrilla warfare is from time to time
engaged in all along the line, both
east and west of the Ural mountains,
with the Bolsheviki and the Germans.
Politics is a science in which the
native Russian is not versed, and
political dissension In the efforts
made to reconstruct government is
the chief obstacle now standing in the
way Of peace and contentment among
the inhabitants. With political dis
sension and lack of government the
rouble has become demonetized in
value from two for one American dol
lar to as much as fifteen for one
American dollar, and counterfeiting of
Russian currency proceeds unchecked.
l think assistance will have to be
given the Russians from America, if
they are to construct any kind of an
operative government, other than re-
turning to an imperial form of govern
ment; and delay in giving recogni-
ton to de facto government prom
ises to make the situation more COM
pick.
Laws But No Government.
A novel condition exists at present
in the recognition of laws and the OPP
Grafton of the courts, in the absence
of a government. The respect and
obedience to the law and the con-
tinuance of the courts in the applica-
ton and enforcement thereof, without
recognized or established government,
is most noteworthy and interesting.
1t appears that the code of laws adopt
ed in 1854 under the imperialistic gov
eminent, with amendments to the
year 1917, are now given recognition
by the people as the laws of the land,
and the courts established by the
car continue to function in the appli-
cation of these laws with respect to
cases arising, both civil and criminal.
It is my belief that history does not
record another like condition Of af-
fairs, l. e., Of laws existing and re-
spected and courts established and in
operation, in the absence of an estab-
lished government. Usually laws and
courts result from established gov
eminent, and never exist in the alb
sence of recognized governmental au
essentially creations of government,
and sovereignty precedes and is
necessary to their existence. From
infancy the people seem to have been
imbued with wholesome regard for
the laws and respect for the courts,
and an appreciation thereof enables
one to more readily usdarstand the
absence of riots and other disturb
ances in Vladivostok and vicinity at
LHC VI CSCAJ L1lA0.
Mushroom Governments.
Were the people possessed with a
greater degree of stamina and knowl-
edge respecting civil government, it
would appear to be comparatively
easy matter to establish sovereign au-
thority and in very short time place
Russia in the category of sovereign
states. The obstacle to speedy
establishment of sovereign authority
is due to the fact that the people
heretofore have been hold in absolute
restraint concerning all matters of a
political nature. Politics was sub
ject within the exclusive province OF
the emperor and those specially en-
powered by him to act within a de-
fined sphere in the administration OF
government. An expression of opin-
ion concerning governmental affairs
on the part of a civilian was not per-
mftted, and was under the laws pun
f5hable as reasonable. Thus will be |