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THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION 45
manship. They advocated reaction, and for alleviating the
extreme tension found no other remedy than the giving
out of a promise to the effect that " after the war some
concessions would be made." Such a way of dealing with
the situation showed utter incompetence, as these very
reforms were urgently necessary for the better conduct of
the war. In consequence the people lost faith, and it was
an easy matter to convince every one, and especially the
soldier, that something was wrong, and that the war could
not be brought to a victorious end except by the overthrow
of those who were misgoverning the State. The wrath of
the people has been justly turned towards the traitors who
forsook the national cause to satisfy their own lust for
power. Their plan of action consisted in concealing the
truth from the Emperor himself, and in denying to the
people the most legitimate demands necessary for prosperity
and victory.
Another unfortunate circumstance, which helped to bring
about the Revolution, was the unpopularity of the Empress
Alexandra, and her strong influence upon her husband’s
decisions in politics. But it is a very delicate matter to
allege that the Emperor had Germanophil tendencies.
Many historical facts are against such an allegation. He was
the son of one of the most national of the Russian Emperors
who ever governed the Empire—Alexander III—and his
mother is a Danish Princess who was always noted for
her anti-German tendencies. Nicholas II followed the
same political lines as Alexander III, and his declaration
of war with Austria-Hungary and Germany in defence of
Serbia can hardly be construed as showing German
sympathies. However, great stress was laid on the fact that
the Empress was a German Princess. Her position was
indeed a very difficult and delicate one. If she had been
wise, and had realised the thin ice upon which she and the
Imperial power stood, she would have observed during the
war an extreme reserve in all that she did.
The very contrary happened. The Emperor, an
affectionate and only too indulgent husband, was willing to listen
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