Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XV. Pro patria : a defence against hypercriticism
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
102 PROBLEMS CONFRONTING RUSSIA
compromise the British in the eyes of Russians, and
altogether obstruct friendly intercourse between them, which,
at the present juncture, is sadly in need of encouragement,
and should not by any means be subjected to such
misconceptions. The uncomplimentary nature of such
hyper-criticism may have arisen from the disillusions of those who
trusted the word of Russia and relied upon her help. But
Russia—the Russia of an established government—was a
bona fide ally, and did not shirk any of her obligations.
Her present dismal condition is that of a madman who
cannot be made responsible for his acts. A revolution, like
a great and unforeseen calamity in nature, bears the
character of a vis major, which not only puts the very life of
a nation out of gear, but also atrophies the working of the
whole responsibility of State and Society. It involves the
most serious set-backs, the greatest losses to the nation, as
well as to foreigners whose interests are involved, but is of
a purely temporary nature and does not imperil the future
when public order and the working of the State
administration are once more re-established.
The Revolution bursting at a time when Russia required
all her strength for the conduct of the war, compromised
her fighting power and injured the cause of her Allies. But
why did the explosion occur just then ? At the outbreak
of the Revolution there was universal jubilation in Great
Britain as the danger of a separate peace seemed thereby
averted. It has already been mentioned * that the danger of
concluding a separate peace did not exist at all, and that
the false alarm had been invented and spread to incense
the masses against the Government, that Nicholas II had
up to the last been faithful to the Allies, and that certain
ignoble charges launched against the Tsaritsa Alexandra
Feodorovna were groundless. The Tsar had to wage war
on two fronts—o.ne against the enemy without; the other
against the extreme Socialist offensive within. It is, therefore,
clear that the untimely outbreak of the Revolution, which
in its course broke the back of the Anglo-Russian alliance,
* See page 52.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
