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Show PEOPLE OF RUSSIA WIN THE GREAT FIGHT. History has been making rapidly in Russia during the last few months. Yesterday's news that the Czar had finally agreed to a constitutional con-stitutional government will rank high among the events in the progress pro-gress of universal liberty and the passing of autocracy and the "di-s "di-s I vine right." With all Russia's tribulations and turmoil, there stands - out one hopeful, sign; the people waited until after the v,ar with Japan Ja-pan before they began their revolution. j To those who have been observers of the course of events in the land of the Czar an interestingVnd dramatic evolution has been disclosed. dis-closed. For years Count Tolstoi has protested at the barbarous rule of the Romanoffs, the horrors of Siberia, the suppression of free speech, the throttling of the common people for the benefit of the aris- ", loeracy. Like the dripping of the water on the stone, the words of Tolstoi, Gorky and scores of roipor Russian reformers have had their effect on the people. The love for liberty, apparently crushed to ashes, was rekindled, and a great national unrest became apparent. Then came the war with Japan, which disclosed in all its pitiful weakness the taunted strength of the corrupt army and navy, and the unstable and tottering condition of the Government itself. But despite the discontent which had been aroused, the chafing at the bonds of political imprisonment and the knowledge which the ttfople had gained of their own strength, the Russians did not revolt.' They remained true to their country; they, fought as well as their in- competent commanders allowed; they saw the nation through the crisis which threatened its very existence. Then, when the time was ripe, they struck the blow which has gained them freedom. The acquiescence of the Czar to the popular and insistent demands de-mands wasjnevitable. He should'not be called weak because of that fact. "Public opinion that has reached the stage it did in Russia is irresistible. The plans for creating a government of the people are $ as yet immature, but they are none the less genuine. Count Witte, I the peace plenipotentiary, is to be the "President-Minister and may 1 elect bis Cabinet.- Details of the new regime will be worked out as eoon as possible. Russia in her new role naturally looks to America for encourage-ment encourage-ment and advice. We who are taught freedom from our cradles can only give the Russians the benefit of jur mn experience as a nation and our best wishes for success in their forward move. The loyalty of the people during the national crisis and under such pressure as thev were forced to submit to augurs well for Russia's future. |