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102 PROBLEMS CONFRONTING RUSSIA
tion cannot be judged as typically expressive of the Russian
character in its normal frame, and in times of peace and
order. As a rule Russians are rather prone to fatalism
and ready to bear iniquity. It was Leo Tolstoy, a Russian
of the Russians, who proclaimed the principle of the
non-resistance and forbearance, and opposed any action conducive
to ferocity. But at present Russia is in the grip of Bolshevist
terrorism, converting Russia into a slaughter-house for
those whose only fault is that they belong to the educated
classes. Was not the regne de la Terreur of the French
Revolution a phenomenon analogous in its psychological
significance. The French did not incur the reputation of
ferocity from this terrorism because it was not peculiar to
the French but merely arose in consequence of the
degeneracy of the French Revolution, just as the Bolshevist terror
is the direct result of the degeneracy of the Russian
Revolution, which no longer recognises the law of God or man,
pandering only to the bestial instincts of a bloodthirsty
mob.
It is not the case that Russians are " intellectually
benighted.’’ They are quick to see their material advantage and
to use their undoubted natural gifts. Otherwise they would
not have been able to achieve the successes which built up
their vast empire. To reproach them of social incoherence is
even more unjust. The time-honoured Artel (Association of
Working Men), the Krugovaia Poruka (Mutual Guarantee),
and so many other collectivist organisations, tell a very
different tale. Nowhere has co-operation taken to so
phenomenal proportions as in Russia. Finally, the great work of the
Zemstvos (County Councils) is a brilliant testimony to social
coherence. All this proves that the Russian nation is
distinctly endowed with the capacity and the inclination for social
work, and it is this feature in the Russian character which
permits the hope that a broad application of the principle
of self-government will bring prosperity and welfare to the
country.
But what about the alleged " predatory " character of
Russia. Those living in glass-houses should never throw
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