RUSSIA TO-DAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17239, 21 April 1930, Page 10

RUSSIA TO-DAY

PEASANTS NOW SLAVES NO SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT VANCOUVER. March 1.4. The colorful history o£ ;i former Rovul faniilv. whose incmUrrs were murdered or exiled from I lie muntry limy served for generations, was graphically related to an audience ol more than 400 oil L'lmrsday nigld. when former Grand Duke Alexander, cousin of tho late Czar, delivered an impressive lecture on featuies of his life.

His voice rang uilli sincerity, and the prolonged applause of (he. formally attired men and women was evidence that they were hearing! the (ruth about ;lie powers that 1 uled the vast country till 13 years ago. .Standing erect, resting his long, slender hands on the back of a. chair, which he placed in front of him before ommeneing liis address, tlie G4-year-old Grand Duke recalled his boyhood days and life us a member of the Royal family. “I ask (hut. you do not consider me as tho Grand Duke.” he said, after rising, “because, before being a Grand Duke 1 am a. Russian ; and before being a Russian 1 am a. man.” THROUGH THREE WARS. 'Tlie .speaker related that- he had served his country under three Emperirs. and had passed through three wars iml two revolutions. He recalled how each. Emperor had ruled his people, emphasising their weak points and the strong. Briefly, lie traced his life from the time many years ago when he was being educated, until the day when he became a, mail of great wealth and power, and finally was stripped of everything when red revolt robbed him of Ids position. “Now that T have. lost everything.” he said, “T am happier than ever before.”

What is happening in Russia, to-day, lie added, is the worst in the history of the country. Communism, he said, can live only among beggars. When there isi wealth and prosperity in a country, Communism can not stand. The peasants in Russia at present are slaves of the State, and this condition will not bo corrected until a. change is made.

Speaking of the time prior to the red revolt, and of conditions immediately 'allowing, he said that his brother, who was an inspector of infantry, reported that three days beforo the. revolution broke out. all his men were loyal to 'he Government. He also revealed that the Emperor, when he saw him three days after he had abdicated bis throne, told bim that he. felt, lie had done his duty, and had acted wisely. He d not repent his aciton, the former Grand Duke, added. WORLD'S GREAT NEED. He emphasised the need of spiritual development,, .to counteract the over-) powering influence of the material.

“Tins, ■spirit of Christ must bo introduced into all the schools,” he said, “and to all Governments of. all tho countries. Only then will we have ival peace. The law of love is the fundamental law of the world.”

Tn closing, lie said that while he received a- great shock in tho War, if enabled him to see life from a different angle.