STOIC PATRIOTS

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 58

STOIC PATRIOTS

ARISTOCRACY IN RUSSIA. POOR, BUT STILL PROUD. 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 the utmost discomfort. The room served as bedroom, sitting room, kitchen, and everything else. “We have become fatalists,” she said, “We care 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 gill of 17, entered while we were talking. I inquired what she 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 the duty of evei-yone 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 the old aristocracy remain. I tried to hint, tactfully, to my hostess, that her relative’s writing might have contributed to the revolt of the peasantry. SOCIALISM’S ONLY CHANCE.

“He 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, where morality is inherent and practised as a matter of course. The experiment could only be attempted in a highly 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 became scarcer and tlie 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 soanty. Sleeves were discarded, dresses were cut violently low at the neck and extremely short, hats were abandoned entirely, 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, father party to a marriage inav obtain a divorce at short notice without assigning any reason and without the consent of tlie other contracting party. Forty-eight hours after the decree lias been issued either party may re-marry. One divorce is given free annually; more by arrangement. This may seem the truest morality; but it does not seem to make for increased happiness or stability. I do not know if the Soviet civil marriage is recognised in other countries, but there ought to be some pronouncement on the subject, as many relief workers married Russian girls, and in some instances, notably marriages with Jewesses, the Church ceremony was not available. I was asked how much 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 were found in the streets alone after 10 P'.m. A former titled lady once said to me: “Our only hope lies in penetration by foreigners, in the renewal of our industries by foreign employers and capital. We shall be your slaves, but it is better so.”