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102 PROBLEMS CONFRONTING RUSSIA
that when the ancien regime ceased to exist, there were no
prominent statesmen to take up the reins of government,
open up a truly constructive policy, and to introduce a new
and lasting form of State administration. The Russian
Revolution has drifted through a series of phases which have
wholly changed its primary aspect. The original idea was
conceived by the Cadet party for the sake of freedom and
progress and the suppression of autocracy and bureaucratic
rule. Their intention was to bring about a truly
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government
representing the will of the nation. Tsar Nicholas signed
the new statute according to the wishes of the Cadet party,
but somehow this did not prevent the delegates of the Duma,
who received an audience with the Emperor at Pskoff, from
demanding and accepting his abdication in favour of his
brother, Michael Alexandravitch. Instead of taking up the
reins of government and saving the country from the abyss
of anarchy, the latter declined the offer and the revolution
then drifted into the hands of the inarticulate and uneducated
masses.
In the course of six months, Russia underwent no less than
five revolutions—one after the other ! First it was the
Workmen’s, Soldiers’ and Peasants’ Delegates conjointly
with the Duma who overthrew the Tsar’s government ;
then, Mr. Kerensky abrogated the Duma and the Cabinet
and created a self-made government devoid of any
constitutional authority. The third revolution was marked by
a proclamation of the Republic regardless of the oath which
had been taken by the so-called Provisional Government
that the promised Constituent Assembly should decide the
form of rule. Public order was systematically undermined
by constant sudden changes in the form of government.
A plethora of self-appointed committees took the place of
any regular administration. Again and again the Cabinet
took new configurations. The fourth act of the revolutionary
tragedy was the overthrow of Kerensky’s government by
the Council of Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Delegates acting
under the direct influence of the Revolutionary Extremists,
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