" Author Of "Russian Court Memoirs
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 78
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1918 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIV THE TRAIL OF REVOLUTION THIS narrative cannot be terminated without a sympathetic mention of Lord Lansdowne's perfect way of greeting the new Russian Government. Dealing justly, as every true Englishman always does, Lord Lansdowne in the House of Lords referred in words of respect and sympathy to the ex-Tzar, Nicholas II, "who for nearly three years has been our faithful and noble Ally." It is characteristic of the present intolerance of anything that is not democratic that this speech was not reproduced in any of the Russian papers, although every cultured and true-hearted Russian read it with gratification, appreciating the tribute given by the eminent English statesman to the former Sovereign. Nicholas II committed many errors, but the nobility of his character is beyond all doubt. The distinguished English peer's speech was read with great interest in Petrograd, and proved only too truly the power of his subtle foresight. Russia, in her new guise, regardless of the fervent hopes with which she inspired everyone at the outset, gave a bad quarter of an hour to the Allied Powers, obstructing all efforts to come to a rational understanding. It was as if the Russians had suddenly turned their back on common sense. The first glimpse the Western countries had of Russian people in their gruff uncouthness, without the softening medium of an Imperial Court and of a cultured Government, was not encouraging, but let me convince the English reader that the majority of my countrymen were in despair at the turn things were taking; but they were helpless to stem the current of general disorder. Everything was, and to a certain extent continues to be, in the power of the Soldiers' and Workmen's Deputies. They brought forward the obstacles...