The Trouble in Russia.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume IX, Issue 1226, 2 May 1902, Page 4

The Trouble in Russia.

Tbe Vienna correspondent of tho “ Tinicß ” writing on February 24tb says:—There is widespread sympathy for tbe Russian s'udents in the struggle they are carrying on against tho degrading regime lo which an infatuated and obscurantist autocracy would continue to subject them. They have new the, at all events, partial 00-oporation oi tbe labouring classes, a circumstance upon whicb an account published by the “ Wiener Morgen Zeitung,” throws an interesting light. It appears that whereas during ilie seventies all attempts to stir up the illiterate masses to an ideal of rmancipa'ion failed, the situation has since entirely changed, as, owing to the obligatory instruo lion of the soldier, education has spread among tho proletariat. A arge number of the lower classes, among whom crass ignorance pro vailed hut 20 years ago, are now able to read and write. The consequence is that tbe number of those who look forward to a now era, both intellectual and material among the labouring clnsses has considerably increased. They supply tho students with numerous and eager allies. In many Continental countries the universities have furnished tbe pioneers of freedom and reform, notwithstanding the vigorous measures taken to exclude them from all political action and influence. It may therefore, he hoped that the Russian authorities will benefit by such experience instead of stubbornlyopposing the appeal from tbe universities. In this connection it may be well to recall that tho impetus given to that revolutionary movoment which caused the downfall of tbe Third Empire cf France came from the Qnartier Latin ; nor must it be forgotten that for several generations the great centres of enthusiasm for German unify were tho universities. The students' songs and traditions were one of the means whereby Gitmark’s great work was rendered universally popular among tho German pcop'e. These are, perhaps, tho two most remarkable, hut by no means the only instances of tbe kind. Nothing could be less desirable than the habitual participation of students in politics, hut that is entirely different from the cultivation of great political ideals among tbe youth of the country. Moreover, in Russia the authorities have already b3en able to discover t' at tho absolute suppression of such movements as that now prevailing among the students is the surest means of provoking a revival of Nihilism. The students besides seeking the redress of alms -s rnoro especially affecting themsolves. are giving expression to opinions uud aspirations which are known to prevail largely among tbe middle and upper classes in Russia. On the other hand, the idea that a proletariat which is no longer illiterate will still bo content to drown its grievances in drink, is, to say the least, a dangerous error.