STOIC PATRIOTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18277, 19 December 1922, Page 9

STOIC PATRIOTS.

ARISTOCRACY IN RUSSIA.

POOR, BUT STILL PROUD.

"OUR DUTY TO REMAIN."

The old Russian aristocracy and wealthy classes may have been indolent and effete in their palmy days, but in misfortune they are indomitable, -writes a " relief worker" in a London paper.

I met a relative of a writer famous the world over. She was living in one small room in 8 the utmost discomfort. The room served as bsdroom, sitting room, kitchen, and everything else.

''We have become fatalists,'' she said. " Wo tare nothing for. the morrow or the future. Sometimes I receive a million roubles (about 3d) and buy a water melon; other times we go without food entirely. Something usually turns up, but nothing matters."

Her daughter, a charming girl of 17, entered while we were talking. I inquired what sho proposed to do with the girl. Would she try to send her to London or Paris? The. daughter answered, in perfect English, " I never wish to leave Russia. I. think it is the duty of everyono who can assist in the slightest to remain here.''

The type of tall, handsome male Russian we knew before the war seems extinct, but countless women of tho old aristocracy remain. I tried to hint, tactfully, to my hostess, that her relative's writings might have contributed to the revolt of the peasantry. Socialism's Only Chance. " Ho would have said, ' Put me against the wall and shoot me' had he lived, ' she replied. " Socialism is only possible in a highly civilised and enlightened community, whore morality is inherent and practised as a matter of course. The experiment could only be attempted in a hitrhly intellectual atmosphere, and it was madness to try with a race like ours." The expedients devised to keep up external appearances were innumerable. As clothing becamo scarcer and the women could no longer obtain stockings, they took to socks or went about barelegged altogether. Underwear became extinct and dress material unprocurable, so costumes became more and more scanty. Sleeves were discarded, dresses were cut violently low at the neck and extremely short, hats were abandoned entire'v. but throughout the women presented a brave show to the world. Curiously enough, white was the most popular wear throughout the summer, although this entailed more washing. Farcical Marriage Laws. The marriage laws are now farcical. Either party to a marriage may obtain a divorce at short notice without assigning any reason and without the consent of the other contracting party. Fortyeight hours after the decree has been issued cither party may remarry. One divorea is given free annually; more bv arrangement. This may seem the truest morality; but it does not seem to make for increased happiness or stability. T do not know if the Soviet civil marriage is recognised in other countries, but" there ought kv be some pronouncement on the pubjeet, as many relief workers married Russian girls, and in some instances, notablv marriages with Jewes.-es, the Church ceremony was not available. T was ask?d how mueh I would take to marry a girl and take her out of the country _ I saw and heard nothing of the "socialisation" of women, but was told it at one time applied to those who .wore found in the streets alona after 10 p.m.

A former titled lady once said to me : '* Our onlv hope lies in penetration bv foreigners, In the renewal of oar industries by foreign employers and caoital. We shall be your slaves, but it is better so."