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1917] ORIGIN OF THE MARCH DAYS 477
were becoming alarmed aud holding meetings, while the
heads of the Liberal parties were conferring, while the
public was getting exasperated, the German agents
working amongst the labouring classes, and the real
leaders of these classes—extreme Socialists and Labour
members—were acting.
A scene which occurred at the Duma shortly before
the Revolution had caused much comment: the orators
of all the parties having in turn attacked the Government
and demanded explanations, the new President of the
Council, the aged and correct Prince Galitzyn, at last
decided to ascend the tribune and make a so-called
declaration, but it was weak, toneless, meaningless.
Then one of the extreme Socialists, Tchkeidze, jumped
on to the tribune and in a few words ridiculed the
declaration and rejected it. " We are still displaying
patience; we have entreated the Government to speak
out, to dispel the doubts and suspicions that its actions
are raising all over the country. And now ’ an old man ’
iodine starik) ascends the tribune and . . . tells us
nothing at all. Take care!" continued the orator,
making a threatening gesture towards poor Prince
Galitzyn, "you will repent, but it will be too late!"
The specifically Caucasian accent of Tchkeidze and the
expression "old man" applied to Galitzyn roused the
laughter of the assembly, and the Government was once
more made to look ridiculous. It was a duel to the death
which was beginning between the police power of the
Empire and the extreme revolutionaries. Protopopoff,
daily becoming madder, accepting the challenge and
taking all measures to provoke the outbreak of disorder
in the capital as quickly as possible, was at the same
time organising the most energetic repression which,
according to him, could only end in the complete
triumph of the Government. The revolutionary leaders,
absolutely sure of the working population, hoping much
also from certain military elements, and counting on the
neutrality at least of the educated classes and of the
majority of the officials, the revolutionary leaders, I say,
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