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102 PROBLEMS CONFRONTING RUSSIA
However, in the course of his reign he decided for most
generous and broad-minded reforms, such as the granting
of a constitution, the convocation of a conference at The
Hague in 1905, for the establishment of permanent peace,
and the total abolition of drink in 1915. In each case his
Russian lack of the sense of proportion, and his generosity,
carried him away too far. II avait les defauts de ses qualites.
The suffrage law proved to be too advanced and generated
Dumas, which were openly revolutionary and could not
do useful work. Here the evil genius of Witte had a part
in giving the country a kind of constitution unsuited to her
practical needs of the moment. The suppression of vodka
was carried out before there was time to teach the inarticulate
masses how to use their leisure freed from the spell of drink.
Finally the idea of establishing a permanent arbitration court
was premature, as international political problems were
involved which could only be solved by war. The good
intention was there, but the power to carry it out was lacking.
A Hamlet on the Russian throne—Nicolas II was constantly
wavering in the execution of his aims and thereby accelerating
his own downfall.
Deeply religious and superstitious by nature as many
Russians are, he came across an evil-minded man endowed
with personal magnetism and the psychic power of telepathy.
To be influenced by that man was fatal for a ruler, but it
was weakness more than wickedness that brought the Tsar
under the spell of that dark power. Nicholas II was a
tragic figure ; he was a martyr to his own good intentions.
An excellent husband and father, his patriotism, chivalry,
and noble-mindedness shone out in many of his actions.
He came to the rescue of poor bullied and threatened little
Serbia ; he sacrificed his personal interests to the benefit
of Russia when revolution overcame him, and he died a
noble death, his last thoughts were all for his country. Had
Nicholas wanted to save his throne he could at the outbreak
of the Revolution have marched on Petrograd at the head
of his army. He could have concluded peace with Germany
in order to be able to use all his powers to fight the enemy
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