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19"]
STOLYPIN’S INFLUENCE
33
him by the order which reigned there, by the national
patriotism which seemed to animate all classes of the
population, all political parties. Moreover, possessing
an intimate knowledge of the actual state of Russia, and
realising the internal dangers the Empire would have
to face if war broke out, Stolypin frankly dreaded a
war and consequently anything which might lead to
the collision so often predicted with Germany. As
long as he lived he had an indisputable influence on
M. Sazonoffs policy and on that of his locum-tenens, M.
Neratoff. This influence showed itself in very early days
in the interviews which the new Russian Foreign
Secretary held with the Berlin politicians in November,
1910.
On his return to St. Petersburg and to business after
the death of his brother-in-law, Sazonoff had no longer
any reason or desire to be under the influence of that
incongruous group of men officially called the " Council of
Ministers " or " Cabinet." From the autumn of 1911 our
foreign policy was definitely divorced from the home
policy of the Empire, and remained solely within the
province of the Foreign Office. Sazonoff, who was above
all things a good comrade and a staunch friend, was from
henceforth entirely under the influence of his own
environment, and all his decisions were arrived at in select
committees of a few collaborators, men who were mostly
intelligent and mentally distinguished, but who often
lacked practical experience.
During the years that followed, M. Sazonoff and the
Foreign Office became more and more cut off from the
rest of the Government.
We ought to note that in general during the years
immediately preceding the World War and the
Revolution, there was a pecular change in the kind of people
who were called upon to govern Russia. Men of no
proved political reputation, lacking in experience, with
no marked ability, sprang up no one knew whence, and
gradually monopolised the power and influence over all
state affairs. Thus bank-notes of great value were
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