The Times correspondent in Russia sends to his paper on
Tuesday a reassuring telegram about the presenteondition of Russia. "Never since the outset of the revolutionary struggle has the country been so quiet, or the nation at large displayed such calm confidence in . the future." The Socialists have learned by bitter experience that a nation cannot he reformed by mere violence, and the reactionaries have also learned that pogroms and, other such escapades will not restore the old regime they hanker after. In spite of, the- dissolution of the Duma, the persecutions by the bureaucracy, and the, mass of difficult economic .questions before . her, Russia, is .hopeful. The reason for this remarkable .change .of outlook is said by the Times correspondent to lie in the fact that, the country believes that- its Government means well by it.. "For the first time almost-in its history -Russia_ has -been governed by men who have sincerely and honestly endeavoured, to discharge the duties of government, and public opinion has' recognised that, in spite of the mistakes they have committed, they have done their best." This is an enormous compliment to M. Stolypin, and we sincerely hope that it is true. He has clearly infuriated the 'reactionaries and the revolutionaries. Can he have inspired confidence in those, sober middle classes which
in the long run decide the fate, of nations P ,
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