THE NEW RUSSIA BORIS BAKH METIEFF At this moment all eyes are turned on Russia. Many hopes and doubts are raised by the tide of events in the greatest of revolutions, at an epoch in the world's greatest war. The fate of nations, the fate of the world, is at stake. The revolution called for the reconstruction of the very foundation of our national life. The creation anew of a country of boundless expanse on distinctly new principles will, of course, take time, and impatience should not be shown in the consummation of so grand an event as Russia's entry into the ranks of free nations. We should not forget that in this immense transformation various interests will seek to assert themselves, and, until the work of settlement is completed, a struggle among opposing currents is inevitable, and exaggerations cannot be avoided. Attempts on the part of disorganizing elements to take advantage of this moment of transition must be expected and met with calmness and confidence. Two considerations make me feel that Russia has passed the stage of the world when the future appeared vague and uncertain. In the first place is the firm conviction of the necessity of legality which is widely developing and firmly establishing itself through the country. This principle is based on the doctrine that governments derive their just power from the consent of the governed, and hence a strong government must be created by the will of the people. My latest advice gives joyful confirmation of the establishment of a firm power, strong in its democratic precepts and activity, strong in the trust reposed in it by the people in its ability to enforce law and order. In the second place and no less important is the growing conviction that the issues of the revolution and the future of Russia's freedom are closely connected with the fighting might of the country. It is such power, it is the force of arms. which alone can define and make certain the achievements of the revolution against autocratic aggression. There has been a period closely following the revolution of almost total suspension of all military activity, a period of what appeared to be disintegration of the army, a period which gave rise to serious doubts and to gloomy forebodings. At the same time there ensued unlimited freedom of speech and of the press, which afforded opportunities for expression of the most extreme and anti-national views, from all of which resulted wide-spread rumors throughout the world that Russia would abandon the war THE VOICES OF OUR LEADERS 147 and conclude a separate peace with the Central Powers. With all emphasis and with deepest conviction, may I reiterate the statement that such rumors were wholly without foundation in fact. Russia rejects with indignation any idea of separate peace. What my country is striving for is the establishment of a firm and lasting peace between democratic nations. Russia is firmly convinced that a separate peace would mean the triumph of German autocracy, would render lasting peace impossible, create the greatest danger for democracy and liberty, and ever be a threatening menace to the new-born freedom of Russia. Conscious of its enormous task, the Provisional Government is taking measures to promptly restore throughout the country, conditions of life so deeply disorganized by the inefficiency of the previous rulers, and to provide for whatever is necessary for military success. Russia wants the world to be safe for democracy. To make it safe means to have democracy rule the world, |