第3章

NeverbeforehadtheWesternworldtheopportunitytolooksodeepintotheblackabysswhichseparatesasoullessautocracyposingas，andevenbelievingitselftobe，thearbiterofEurope，fromthebenighted，starvedsoulsofitspeople。Thisistherealobject-lessonofthiswar，itsunforgettableinformation。Andthiswar\'struemission，disengagedfromtheeconomicoriginsofthatcontest，fromdoorsopenorshut，fromthefieldsofKoreaforRussianwheatorJapaneserice，fromtheownershipofice-freeportsandthecommandofthewatersoftheEast——itstruemissionwastolayaghost。Ithasaccomplishedit。WhetherKuropatkinwasincapableorunlucky，whetherornotRussiaissuingnextyear，ortheyearafternext，frombehindarampartofpiled-upcorpseswillwinorloseafreshcampaign，areminorconsiderations。ThetaskofJapanisdone，themissionaccomplished；theghostofRussia\'smightislaid。OnlyEurope，accustomedsolongtothepresenceofthatportent，seemsunabletocomprehendthat，asinthefablesofourchildhood，thetwelvestrokesofthehourhaverung，thecockhascrowed，theapparitionhasvanished——nevertohauntagainthisworldwhichhasbeenusedtogazeatitwithvaguedreadandmanymisgivings。

Itwasafascination。Andthehallucinationstilllastsasinexplicableinitspersistenceasinitsduration。Itseemssounaccountable，thatthedoubtarisesastothesincerityofallthattalkastowhatRussiawillorwillnotdo，whetheritwillraiseornotanotherarmy，whetheritwillburytheJapaneseinManchuriaunderseventymillionsofsacrificedpeasants\'caps(asherPressboastedalittlemorethanayearago)orgiveuptoJapanthatjewelofhercrown，Saghalien，togetherwithsomeotherthings；whether，perchance，asaninterestingalternative，itwillmakepeaceontheAmurinordertomakewarbeyondtheOxus。

Allthesespeculations(withmanyothers)haveappearedgravelyinprint；andiftheyhavebeengravelyconsideredbyonlyonereaderoutofeachhundred，theremustbesomethingsubtlynoxioustothehumanbraininthecompositionofnewspaperink；orelseitisthatthelargepage，thecolumnsofwords，theleadedheadings，exaltthemindintoastateoffeverishcredulity。TheprintedpageofthePressmakesasortofstilluproar，takingfrommenboththepowertoreflectandthefacultyofgenuinefeeling；leavingthemonlytheartificiallycreatedneedofhavingsomethingexcitingtotalkabout。

ThetruthisthattheRussiaofourfathers，ofourchildhood，ofourmiddle-age；thetestamentaryRussiaofPetertheGreat——whoimaginedthatallthenationsweredeliveredintothehandofTsardom——candonothing。Itcandonothingbecauseitdoesnotexist。Ithasvanishedforeveratlast，andasyetthereisnonewRussiatotaketheplaceofthatill-omenedcreation，which，beingafantasyofamadman\'sbrain，couldinrealitybenothingelsethanafigureoutofanightmareseateduponamonumentoffearandoppression。

ThetruegreatnessofaStatedoesnotspringfromsuchacontemptiblesource。Itisamatteroflogicalgrowth，offaithandcourage。Itsinspirationspringsfromtheconstructiveinstinctofthepeople，governedbythestronghandofacollectiveconscienceandvoicedinthewisdomandcounselofmenwhoseldomreaptherewardofgratitude。ManyStateshavebeenpowerful，but，perhaps，nonehavebeentrulygreat——asyet。ThatthepositionofaStateinreferencetothemoralmethodsofitsdevelopmentcanbeseenonlyhistorically，istrue。Perhapsmankindhasnotlivedlongenoughforacomprehensiveviewofanyparticularcase。

Perhapsnoonewilleverlivelongenough；andperhapsthisearthsharedoutamongstourclashingambitionsbytheanxiousarrangementsofstatesmenwillcometoanendbeforeweattainthefelicityofgreetingwithunanimousapplausetheperfectfruitionofagreatState。Itisevenpossiblethatwearedestinedforanothersortofblissaltogether:thatsortwhichconsistsinbeingperpetuallydupedbyfalseappearances。Butwhateverpoliticalillusionthefuturemayholdouttoourfearorouradmiration，therewillbenone，itissafetosay，whichinthemagnitudeofanti-humanitarianeffectwillequalthatphantomnowdrivenoutoftheworldbythethunderofthousandsofguns；nonethatinitsretreatwillclingwithanequallyshamelesssinceritytomoreunworthysupports:tothemoralcorruptionandmentaldarknessofslavery，tothemerebruteforceofnumbers。

Thisveryignominyofinfatuationshouldmakecleartomen\'sfeelingsandreasonthatthedownfallofRussia\'smightisunavoidable。Spectralitlivedandspectralitdisappearswithoutleavingamemoryofasinglegenerousdeed，ofasingleservicerendered——eveninvoluntarily——tothepolityofnations。Otherdespotismstherehavebeen，butnonewhoseoriginwassogrimlyfantasticinitsbaseness，andthebeginningofwhoseendwassogruesomelyignoble。Whatisamazingisthemythofitsirresistiblestrengthwhichisdyingsohard。

Consideredhistorically，Russia\'sinfluenceinEuropeseemsthemostbaselessthingintheworld；asortofconventioninventedbydiplomatistsforsomedarkpurposeoftheirown，onewouldsuspect，ifthelackofgraspupontherealitiesofanygivensituationwerenotthemaincharacteristicofthemanagementofinternationalrelations。Aglancebackatthelasthundredyearsshowstheinvariable，onemaysaythelogical，powerlessnessofRussia。Asamilitarypowerithasneverachievedbyitselfasinglegreatthing。Ithasbeenindeedabletorepelanill-consideredinvasion，butonlybyhavingrecoursetotheextrememethodsofdesperation。Initsattacksuponitsspeciallyselectedvictimthisgiantalwaysstruckasifwithawitheredrighthand。AllthecampaignsagainstTurkeyprovethis，fromPotemkin\'stimetothelastEasternwarin1878，entereduponwitheveryadvantageofawell-nursedprestigeandacarefullyfosteredfanaticism。Eventhehalf-armedwerealwaystoomuchforthemightofRussia，or，rather，oftheTsardom。Itwasvictoriousonlyagainstthepracticallydisarmed，as，inregardtoitsidealofterritorialexpansion，aglanceatamapwillprovesufficiently。Asanally，Russiahasbeenalwaysunprofitable，takinghershareinthedefeatsratherthaninthevictoriesofherfriends，butalwayspushingherownclaimswiththearroganceofanarbiterofmilitarysuccess。Shehasbeenunabletohelptoanypurposeasingleprincipletoholditsown，noteventheprincipleofauthorityandlegitimismwhichNicholastheFirsthaddeclaredsohaughtilytorestunderhisspecialprotection；justasNicholastheSecondhastriedtomakethemaintenanceofpeaceonearthhisownexclusiveaffair。AndthefirstNicholaswasagoodRussian；heheldthebeliefinthesacrednessofhisrealmwithsuchanintensityoffaiththathecouldnotsurvivethefirstshockofdoubt。Rightlyenvisaged，theCrimeanwarwastheendofwhatremainedofabsolutismandlegitimisminEurope。ItthrewthewayopenfortheliberationofItaly。ThewarinManchuriamakesanendofabsolutisminRussia，whoeverhasgottoperishfromtheshockbehindarampartofdeadukases，manifestoes，andrescripts。Inthespaceoffiftyyearstheself-appointedApostleofAbsolutismandtheself-appointedApostleofPeace，theAugustusandtheAugustulusoftheREGIMEthatwaswonttospeakcontemptuouslytoEuropeanForeignOfficesinthebeautifulFrenchphrasesofPrinceGorchakov，havefallenvictims，eachafterhiskind，totheirshadowyanddreadfulfamiliar，tothephantom，partghoul，partDjinn，partOldManoftheSea，withbeakandclawsandadoublehead，lookinggreedilybotheastandwestontheconfinesoftwocontinents。

Thatnobodythroughallthattimepenetratedthetruenatureofthemonsteritisimpossibletobelieve。Butofthemanywhomusthaveseen，allwereeithertoomodest，toocautious，perhapstoodiscreet，tospeak；orelseweretooinsignificanttobeheardorbelieved。Yetnotall。

Intheveryearlysixties，PrinceBismarck，thenabouttoleavehispostofPrussianMinisterinSt。Petersburg，called——sothestorygoes——uponanotherdistinguisheddiplomatist。Aftersometalkuponthegeneralsituation，thefutureChancelloroftheGermanEmpireremarkedthatitwashispracticetoresumetheimpressionshehadcarriedoutofeverycountrywherehehadmadealongstay，inashortsentence，whichhecausedtobeengraveduponsometrinket。

“Iamleavingthiscountrynow，andthisiswhatIbringawayfromit，“hecontinued，takingoffhisfingeranewringtoshowtohiscolleaguetheinscriptioninside:“LaRussie，c\'estleneant。”

PrinceBismarckhadthetruthofthematterandwasneithertoomodestnortoodiscreettospeakout。Certainlyhewasnotafraidofnotbeingbelieved。Yethedidnotshouthisknowledgefromthehouse-tops。Hemeanttohavethephantomashisaccompliceinanenterprisewhichhassettheclockofpeacebackformanyayear。

Hehadhisway。TheGermanEmpirehasbeenanaccomplishedfactformorethanathirdofacentury——agreatanddreadfullegacylefttotheworldbytheill-omenedphantomofRussia\'smight。

Itisthatphantomwhichisdisappearingnow——unexpectedly，astonishingly，asifbyatouchofthatwonderfulmagicforwhichtheEasthasalwaysbeenfamous。Thepretenceofbeliefinitsexistencewillnolongeransweranybody\'spurposes(nowPrinceBismarckisdead)unlessthepurposesofthewritersofsensationalparagraphsastothisNEANTmakinganarmeddescentupontheplainsofIndia。ThatsortoffollywouldbebeneathnoticeifitdidnotdistractattentionfromtherealproblemcreatedforEuropebyawarintheFarEast。

Forgoodorevilintheworkingoutofherdestiny，RussiaisboundtoremainaNEANTformanylongyears，inamoreeventhanaBismarckiansense。Theveryfearofthisspectrebeinggone，itbehovesustoconsideritslegacy——thefact(nophantomthat)

accomplishedinCentralEuropebyitshelpandconnivance。

TheGermanEmpiremayfeelatbottomthelossofanoldaccomplicealwaysamenabletotheconfidentialwhispersofabargain；butinthefirstinstanceitcannotbutrejoiceatthefundamentalweakeningofapossibleobstacletoitsinstinctsofterritorialexpansion。Thereisaremovalofthatlatentfeelingofrestraintwhichthepresenceofapowerfulneighbour，howeverimplicatedwithyouinasenseofcommonguilt，isboundtoinspire。ThecommonguiltofthetwoEmpiresisdefinedpreciselybytheirfrontierlinerunningthroughthePolishprovinces。Withoutindulginginexcessivefeelingsofindignationatthatcountry\'spartition，orgoingsofarastobelieve——withalateFrenchpolitician——inthe“immanentejusticedeschoses，“itisclearthatamaterialsituation，baseduponanessentiallyimmoraltransaction，containsthegermoffataldifferencesinthetemperamentofthetwopartnersininiquity——whatevertheiniquityis。GermanyhasbeentheevilcounsellorofRussiaonallthequestionsofherPolishproblem。Alwaysurgingtheadoptionofthemostrepressivemeasureswithaperfectlylogicalduplicity，PrinceBismarck\'sEmpirehastakencaretocoupletheneighbourlyoffersofmilitaryassistancewithmercilessadvice。ThethoughtofthePolishprovincesacceptingafrankreconciliationwithahumanisedRussiaandbringingtheweightofhomogeneousloyaltywithinafewmilesofBerlin，hasbeenalwaysintenselydistastefultothearrogantGermanisingtendenciesoftheotherpartnerininiquity。And，besides，thewaytotheBalticprovincesleadsovertheNiemenandovertheVistula。

Andnow，whenthereisapossibilityofseriousinternaldisturbancesdestroyingthesortoforderautocracyhaskeptinRussia，theroadovertheseriversisseenwearingamoreinvitingaspect。AtanymomentthepretextofarmedinterventionmaybefoundinarevolutionaryoutbreakprovokedbySocialists，perhaps——

butatanyratebythepoliticalimmaturityoftheenlightenedclassesandbythepoliticalbarbarismoftheRussianpeople。ThethroesofRussianresurrectionwillbelongandpainful。Thisisnottheplacetospeculateuponthenatureoftheseconvulsions，buttheremustbesomeviolentbreak-upofthelamentabletradition，ashatteringofthesocial，oftheadministrative——

certainlyoftheterritorial——unity。

VoiceshavebeenheardsayingthatthetimeforreformsinRussiaisalreadypast。ThisisthesuperficialviewofthemoreprofoundtruththatforRussiatherehasneverbeensuchatimewithinthememoryofmankind。Itisimpossibletoinitiatearationalschemeofreformuponaphaseofblindabsolutism；andinRussiatherehasneverbeenanythingelsetowhichthefaintesttraditioncould，afteragesoferror，gobackastoapartingofways。

InEuropetheoldmonarchicalprinciplestandsjustifiedinitshistoricalstrugglewiththegrowthofpoliticallibertybytheevolutionoftheideaofnationalityasweseeitconcretedatthepresenttime；bytheinceptionofthatwidersolidaritygroupingtogetheraroundthestandardofmonarchicalpowertheselarger，agglomerationsofmankind。Thisserviceofunification，creatingclose-knitcommunitiespossessingtheability，thewill，andthepowertopursueacommonideal，haspreparedthegroundfortheadventofastilllargerunderstanding:forthesolidarityofEuropeanism，whichmustbethenextsteptowardstheadventofConcordandJustice；anadventthat，howeverdelayedbythefatalworshipofforceandtheerrorsofnationalselfishness，hasbeen，andremains，theonlypossiblegoalofourprogress。

Theconceptionsoflegality，oflargerpatriotism，ofnationaldutiesandaspirationshavegrownundertheshadowoftheoldmonarchiesofEurope，whichwerethecreationsofhistoricalnecessity。Therewereseedsofwisdomintheirverymistakesandabuses。Theyhadapastandafuture；theywerehuman。ButundertheshadowofRussianautocracynothingcouldgrow。Russianautocracysucceededtonothing；ithadnohistoricalpast，anditcannothopeforahistoricalfuture。Itcanonlyend。Bynoindustryofinvestigation，bynofantasticstretchofbenevolence，canitbepresentedasaphaseofdevelopmentthroughwhichaSociety，aState，mustpassonthewaytothefullconsciousnessofitsdestiny。Itliesoutsidethestreamofprogress。Thisdespotismhasbeenutterlyun-European。NeitherhasitbeenAsiaticinitsnature。Orientaldespotismsbelongtothehistoryofmankind；theyhavelefttheirtraceonourmindsandourimaginationbytheirsplendour，bytheirculture，bytheirart，bytheexploitsofgreatconquerors。Therecordoftheirriseanddecayhasanintellectualvalue；theyareintheiroriginsandtheircoursethemanifestationsofhumanneeds，theinstrumentsofracialtemperament，ofcatastrophicforce，offaithandfanaticism。

TheRussianautocracyasweseeitnowisathingapart。Itisimpossibletoassigntoitanyrationalorigininthevices，themisfortunes，thenecessities，ortheaspirationsofmankind。ThatdespotismhasneitheranEuropeannoranOrientalparentage；more，itseemstohavenorooteitherintheinstitutionsorthefolliesofthisearth。Whatstrikesonewithasortofaweisjustthissomethinginhumaninitscharacter。Itislikeavisitation，likeacursefromHeavenfallinginthedarknessofagesupontheimmenseplainsofforestandsteppelyingdumblyontheconfinesoftwocontinents:atruedesertharbouringnoSpiriteitheroftheEastoroftheWest。

Thispitifulfateofacountryheldbyanevilspell，sufferingfromanawfulvisitationforwhichtheresponsibilitycannotbetracedeithertohersinsorherfollies，hasmadeRussiaasanationsodifficulttounderstandbyEurope。FromtheveryfirstghastlydawnofherexistenceasaStateshehadtobreathetheatmosphereofdespotism；shefoundnothingbutthearbitrarywillofanobscureautocratatthebeginningandendofherorganisation。HencearisesherimpenetrabilitytowhateveristrueinWesternthought。Westernthought，whenitcrossesherfrontier，fallsunderthespellofherautocracyandbecomesanoxiousparodyofitself。Hencethecontradictions，theriddlesofhernationallife，whicharelookeduponwithsuchcuriositybytherestoftheworld。Thecursehadenteredherverysoul；autocracy，andnothingelseintheworld，hasmouldedherinstitutions，andwiththepoisonofslaverydruggedthenationaltemperamentintotheapathyofahopelessfatalism。Itseemstohavegoneintotheblood，taintingeverymentalactivityinitssourcebyahalf-mystical，insensate，fascinatingassertionofpurityandholiness。TheGovernmentofHolyRussia，arrogatingtoitselfthesupremepowertotormentandslaughterthebodiesofitssubjectslikeaGod-sentscourge，hasbeenmostcrueltothosewhomitallowedtoliveundertheshadowofitsdispensation。Theworstcrimeagainsthumanityofthatsystemwebeholdnowcrouchingatbaybehindvastheapsofmangledcorpsesistheruthlessdestructionofinnumerableminds。

Thegreatesthorroroftheworld——madness——walkedfaithfullyinitstrain。SomeofthebestintellectsofRussia，afterstrugglinginvainagainstthespell，endedbythrowingthemselvesatthefeetofthathopelessdespotismasagiddymanleapsintoanabyss。AnattentivesurveyofRussia\'sliterature，ofherChurch，ofheradministrationandthecross-currentsofherthought，mustendintheverdictthattheRussiaofto-dayhasnottherighttogivehervoiceonasinglequestiontouchingthefutureofhumanity，becausefromtheveryinceptionofherbeingthebrutaldestructionofdignity，oftruth，ofrectitude，ofallthatisfaithfulinhumannaturehasbeenmadetheimperativeconditionofherexistence。

ThegreatgovernmentalsecretofthatimperiumwhichPrinceBismarckhadtheinsightandthecouragetocallLENEANT，hasbeentheextirpationofeveryintellectualhope。TopronounceinthefaceofsuchapastthewordEvolution，whichispreciselytheexpressionofthehighestintellectualhope，isagruesomepleasantry。Therecanbenoevolutionoutofagrave。AnotherwordoflessscientificsoundhasbeenverymuchpronouncedoflateinconnectionwithRussia\'sfuture，awordofmorevagueimport，awordofdreadasmuchasofhope——Revolution。

Inthefaceoftheeventsofthelastfourmonths，thiswordhassprunginstinctively，asitwere，ongravelips，andhasbeenheardwithsolemnforebodings。Moreorlessconsciously，Europeispreparingherselfforaspectacleofmuchviolenceandperhapsofaninspiringnobilityofgreatness。Andtherewillbenothingofwhatsheexpects。Shewillseeneithertheanticipatedcharacteroftheviolence，noryetanysignsofgenerousgreatness。Herexpectations，moreorlessvaguelyexpressed，givethemeasureofherignoranceofthatNEANTwhichforsomanyyearshadremainedhiddenbehindthisphantomofinvinciblearmies。

NEANT！Inaway，yes！AndyetperhapsPrinceBismarckhaslethimselfbeledawaybytheseductionofagoodphraseintotheuseofaninexactform。Theformofhisjudgmenthadtobepithy，striking，engravedwithinaring。Ifheerred，then，nodoubt，heerreddeliberately。Thesayingwasnearenoughthetruthtoserve，andperhapshedidnotwanttodestroyutterlybyamoreseveredefinitiontheprestigeoftheshamthatcouldnotdeceivehisgenius。PrinceBismarckhasbeenreallycomplimentarytotheusefulphantomoftheautocraticmight。Thereisanawe-inspiringideaofinfinityconveyedinthewordNEANT——andinRussiathereisnoidea。SheisnotaNEANT，sheisandhasbeensimplythenegationofeverythingworthlivingfor。Sheisnotanemptyvoid，sheisayawningchasmopenbetweenEastandWest；abottomlessabyssthathasswallowedupeveryhopeofmercy，everyaspirationtowardspersonaldignity，towardsfreedom，towardsknowledge，everyennoblingdesireoftheheart，everyredeemingwhisperofconscience。Thosethathavepeeredintothatabyss，wherethedreamsofPanslavism，ofuniversalconquest，mingledwiththehateandcontemptforWesternideas，driftimpotentlylikeshapesofmist，knowwellthatitisbottomless；thatthereisinitnogroundforanythingthatcouldintheremotestdegreeserveeventhelowestinterestsofmankind——andcertainlynogroundreadyforarevolution。ThesinoftheoldEuropeanmonarchieswasnottheabsolutisminherentineveryformofgovernment；itwastheinabilitytoaltertheformsoftheirlegality，grownnarrowandoppressivewiththemarchoftime。Everyformoflegalityisboundtodegenerateintooppression，andthelegalityintheformsofmonarchicalinstitutionssooner，perhaps，thananyother。Ithasnotbeenthebusinessofmonarchiestobeadaptivefromwithin。

WiththemissionofunitingandconsolidatingtheparticularambitionsandinterestsoffeudalisminfavourofalargerconceptionofaState，ofgivingself-consciousness，forceandnationalitytothescatteredenergiesofthoughtandaction，theywerefatedtolagbehindthemarchofideastheyhadthemselvessetinmotioninadirectiontheycouldneitherunderstandnorapprove。

Yet，forallthat，thethronesstillremain，andwhatismoresignificant，perhaps，someofthedynasties，too，havesurvived。

TherevolutionsofEuropeanStateshaveneverbeeninthenatureofabsoluteprotestsENMASSEagainstthemonarchicalprinciple；theyweretheuprisingofthepeopleagainsttheoppressivedegenerationoflegality。ButthereneverhasbeenanylegalityinRussia；sheisanegationofthatasofeverythingelsethathasitsrootinreasonorconscience。Thegroundofeveryrevolutionhadtobeintellectuallyprepared。Arevolutionisashortcutintherationaldevelopmentofnationalneedsinresponsetothegrowthofworld-wideideals。Itisconceivablypossibleforamonarchofgeniustoputhimselfattheheadofarevolutionwithoutceasingtobethekingofhispeople。FortheautocracyofHolyRussiatheonlyconceivableself-reformis——suicide。

Thesamerelentlessfateholdsinitsgriptheall-powerfulrulerandhishelplesspeople。WieldersofapowerpurchasedbyanunspeakablebasenessofsubjectiontotheKhansoftheTartarhorde，thePrincesofRussiawho，intheirheartofheartshadcomeintimetoregardthemselvesassuperiortoeverymonarchofEurope，haveneverrisentobethechiefsofanation。Theirauthorityhasneverbeensanctionedbypopulartradition，byideasofintelligentloyalty，ofdevotion，ofpoliticalnecessity，ofsimpleexpediency，orevenbythepowerofthesword。InwhateverformofupheavalautocraticRussiaistofindherend，itcanneverbearevolutionfruitfulofmoralconsequencestomankind。Itcannotbeanythingelsebutarisingofslaves。Itisatragiccircumstancethattheonlythingonecanwishtothatpeoplewhohadneverseenfacetofaceeitherlaw，order，justice，right，truthaboutitselfortherestoftheworld；whohadknownnothingoutsidethecapriciouswillofitsirresponsiblemasters，isthatitshouldfindintheapproachinghourofneed，notanorganiseroralaw-giver，withthewisdomofaLycurgusoraSolonfortheirservice，butatleasttheforceofenergyanddesperationinsomeasyetunknownSpartacus。

AbrandofhopelessmentalandmoralinferiorityissetuponRussianachievements；andthecomingeventsofherinternalchanges，howeverappallingtheymaybeintheirmagnitude，willbenothingmoreimpressivethantheconvulsionsofacolossalbody。

Asherboastedmilitaryforcethat，corruptinitsorigin，haseverstrucknootherbutfalteringblows，sohersoul，keptbenumbedbyhertemporalandspiritualmasterwiththepoisonoftyrannyandsuperstition，willfinditselfonawakeningpossessedofnolanguage，amonstrousfull-grownchildhavingfirsttolearnthewaysoflivingthoughtandarticulatespeech。Itissafetosaytyranny，assumingathousandproteanshapes，willremainclingingtoherstrugglesforalongtimebeforeherblindmultitudessucceedatlastintramplingheroutofexistenceundertheirmillionsofbarefeet。

Thatwouldbethebeginning。Whatistocomeafter?Theconquestoffreedomtocallyoursoulyourownisonlythefirststepontheroadtoexcellence。We，inEurope，havegoneasteportwofurther，havehadthetimetoforgethowlittlethatfreedommeans。

ToRussiaitmustseemeverything。Aprisonershutupinanoisomedungeonconcentratesallhishopeanddesireonthemomentofsteppingoutbeyondthegates。Itappearstohimpregnantwithanimmenseandfinalimportance；whereaswhatisimportantisthespiritinwhichhewilldrawthefirstbreathoffreedom，thecounselshewillhear，thehandshemayfindextended，theendlessdaysoftoilthatmustfollow，whereinhewillhavetobuildhisfuturewithnoothermaterialbutwhathecanfindwithinhimself。

ItwouldbevainforRussiatohopeforthesupportandcounselofcollectivewisdom。Since1870(asadistinguishedstatesmanoftheoldtraditiondisconsolatelyexclaimed)“iln\'yaplusd\'Europe！“

Thereis，indeed，noEurope。TheideaofaEuropeunitedinthesolidarityofherdynasties，whichforamomentseemedtodawnonthehorizonoftheViennaCongressthroughthesubsidingdustofNapoleonicalarumsandexcursions，hasbeenextinguishedbythelargerglamouroflessrestrainingideals。Insteadofthedoctrinesofsolidarityitwasthedoctrineofnationalitiesmuchmorefavourabletospoliationsthatcametothefront，andsinceitsgreatesttriumphsatSadowaandSedanthereisnoEurope。

Meanwhiletillthetimecomeswhentherewillbenofrontiers，therearealliancessoshamelesslybasedupontheexigenciesofsuspicionandmistrustthattheircohesiveforcewaxesandwaneswitheveryyear，almostwiththeeventofeverypassingmonth。

ThisistheatmosphereRussiawillfindwhenthelastrampartoftyrannyhasbeenbeatendown。Butwhathands，whatvoiceswillshefindoncomingoutintothelightofday?AnallyshehasyetwhomorethananyotherofRussia\'sallieshasfoundthatithadpartedwithlotsofsolidsubstanceinexchangeforashadow。Itistruethattheshadowwasindeedthemightiest，thedarkestthatthemodernworldhadeverknown——andthemostoverbearing。Butitisfadingnow，andthetoneoftruestanxietyastowhatistotakeitsplacewillcome，nodoubt，fromthatandnootherdirection，andnodoubt，also，itwillhavethatnoteofgenerositywhicheveninthemomentsofgreatestaberrationisseldomwantinginthevoiceoftheFrenchpeople。

TwoneighboursRussiawillfindatherdoor。Austria，traditionallyunaggressivewheneverherhandisnotforced，ruledbyadynastyofuncertainfuture，weakenedbyherduality，canonlyspeaktoherinanuncertain，bilingualphrase。Prussia，growninsomethinglikefortyyearsfromanalmostpitifuldependantintoabullyingfriendandevilcounsellorofRussia\'smasters，may，indeed，hastentoextendastronghandtotheweaknessofherexhaustedbody，butifsoitwillbeonlywiththeintentionoftearingawaythelong-covetedpartofhersubstance。

Pan-Germanismisbynomeansashapeofmists，andGermanyisanythingbutaNEANTwherethoughtandeffortarelikelytolosethemselveswithoutsoundortrace。Itisapowerfulandvoraciousorganisation，fullofunscrupulousself-confidence，whoseappetiteforaggrandisementwillonlybelimitedbythepowerofhelpingitselftotheseveredmembersofitsfriendsandneighbours。TheeraofwarssoeloquentlydenouncedbytheoldRepublicansasthepeculiarbloodguiltofdynasticambitionsisbynomeansoveryet。

Theywillbefoughtoutdifferently，withlesserfrequency，withanincreasedbitternessandthesavagetooth-and-clawobstinacyofastruggleforexistence。Theywillmakeusregretthetimeofdynasticambitions，withtheirhumanabsurditymoderatedbyprudenceandevenbyshame，bythefearofpersonalresponsibilityandtheregardpaidtocertainformsofconventionaldecency。For，ifthemonarchsofEuropehavebeenderidedforaddressingeachotheras“brother“inautographcommunications，thatrelationshipwasatleastaseffectiveasanyformofbrotherhoodlikelytobeestablishedbetweentherivalnationsofthiscontinent，which，weareassuredonallhands，istheheritageofdemocracy。Intheceremonialbrotherhoodofmonarchstherealityofblood-ties，forwhatlittleitisworth，actedoftenasadragonunscrupulousdesiresofgloryorgreed。Besides，therewasalwaysthecommondangerofexasperatedpeoples，andsomerespectforeachother\'sdivineright。Noleaderofademocracy，withoutotherancestrybutthesuddenshoutofamultitude，anddebarredbytheveryconditionofhispowerfromeventhinkingofadirectheir，willhaveanyinterestincallingbrothertheleaderofanotherdemocracy——achiefasfatherlessandheirlessashimself。

Thewarof1870，broughtaboutbythethirdNapoleon\'shalf-

generous，half-selfishadoptionoftheprincipleofnationalities，wasthefirstwarcharacterisedbyaspecialintensityofhate，byanewnoteinthetuneofanoldsongforwhichwemaythanktheTeutonicthoroughness。Wasitnotthatexcellentbourgeoise，PrincessBismarck(tokeeponlytogreatexamples)，whowassorighteouslyanxioustoseemen，womenandchildren——emphaticallythechildren，too——oftheabominableFrenchnationmassacredoffthefaceoftheearth?Thisillustrationofthenewwar-temperisartlesslyrevealedintheprattleoftheamiableBusch，theChancellor\'spet“reptile“ofthePress。Andthiswassupposedtobeawarforanidea！Toomuch，however，shouldnotbemadeofthatgoodwife\'sandmother\'ssentimentsanymorethanofthegoodFirstEmperorWilliam\'stears，shedsoabundantlyaftereverybattle，byletter，telegram，andotherwise，duringthecourseofthesamewar，beforeadumbandshamefacedcontinent。Theseweremerelytheexpressionsofthesimplicityofanationwhichmorethananyotherhasatendencytorunintothegrotesque。Thereisworsetocome。

To-day，inthefiercegrappleoftwonationsofdifferentrace，theshorteraofnationalwarsseemsabouttoclose。Nowarwillbewagedforanidea。The“noxiousidlearistocracies“ofyesterdayfoughtwithoutmaliceforanoccupation，forthehonour，forthefunofthething。Thevirtuous，industriousdemocraticStatesofto-morrowmayyetbereducedtofightingforacrustofdrybread，withallthehate，ferocity，andfurythatmustattachtothevitalimportanceofsuchanissue。ThedreamssanguinehumanitariansraisedalmosttoecstasyabouttheyearfiftyofthelastcenturybythemovingsightoftheCrystalPalace——crammedfullwiththatvariegatedrubbishwhichitseemstobethebizarrefateofhumanitytoproduceforthebenefitofafewemployersoflabour——

havevanishedasquicklyastheyhadarisen。Thegoldenhopesofpeacehaveinasinglenightturnedtodeadleavesineverydrawerofeverybenevolenttheorist\'swritingtable。Aswiftdisenchantmentovertooktheincredibleinfatuationwhichcouldputitstrustinthepeacefulnatureofindustrialandcommercialcompetition。

Industrialismandcommercialism——wearinghigh-soundingnamesinmanylanguages(WELT-POLITIKmayserveforoneinstance)pickingupcoinsbehindthesevereanddisdainfulfigureofsciencewhosegiantstrideshavewidenedforusthehorizonoftheuniversebysomefewinches——standready，almosteager，toappealtotheswordassoonastheglobeoftheearthhasshrunkbeneathourgrowingnumbersbyanotherellorso。Anddemocracy，whichhaselectedtopinitsfaithtothesupremacyofmaterialinterests，willhavetofighttheirbattlestothebitterend，onamerepittance——unless，indeed，somestatesmanofexceptionalabilityandoverwhelmingprestigesucceedsincarryingthroughaninternationalunderstandingforthedelimitationofspheresoftradeallovertheearth，onthemodeloftheterritorialspheresofinfluencemarkedinAfricatokeepthecompetitorsfortheprivilegeofimprovingthenigger(asabuyingmachine)fromflyingprematurelyateachother\'sthroats。

ThisseemstheonlyexpedientathandforthetemporarymaintenanceofEuropeanpeace，withitsalliancesbasedonmutualdistrust，preparednessforwarasitsideal，andthefearofwounds，luckilystronger，sofar，thanthepinchofhunger，itsonlyguarantee。

Thetruepeaceoftheworldwillbeaplaceofrefugemuchlesslikeabeleagueredfortressandmore，letushope，inthenatureofanInviolableTemple。Itwillbebuiltonlessperishablefoundationsthanthoseofmaterialinterests。Butitmustbeconfessedthatthearchitecturalaspectoftheuniversalcityremainsasyetinconceivable——thattheverygroundforitserectionhasnotbeenclearedofthejungle。

Neverbeforeinhistoryhastherightofwarbeenmorefullyadmittedintheroundedperiodsofpublicspeeches，inbooks，inpublicprints，inallthepublicworksofpeace，culminatingintheestablishmentoftheHagueTribunal——thatsolemnlyofficialrecognitionoftheEarthasaHouseofStrife。Tohimwhoseindignationisqualifiedbyameasureofhopeandaffection，theeffortsofmankindtoworkitsownsalvationpresentasightofalarmingcomicality。Afterclingingforagestothestepsoftheheavenlythrone，theyarenow，withoutmuchmodifyingtheirattitude，tryingwithtouchingingenuitytostealonebyonethethunderboltsoftheirJupiter。TheyhaveremovedwarfromthelistofHeaven-sentvisitationsthatcouldonlybeprayedagainst；theyhaveeraseditsnamefromthesupplicationagainstthewrathofwar，pestilence，andfamine，asitisfoundinthelitaniesoftheRomanCatholicChurch；theyhavedraggedthescourgedownfromtheskiesandhavemadeitintoacalmandregulatedinstitution。Atfirstsightthechangedoesnotseemforthebetter。Jove\'sthunderboltlooksamostdangerousplaythinginthehandsofthepeople。Butasolemnlyestablishedinstitutionbeginstogrowoldatonceinthediscussion，abuse，worship，andexecrationofmen。

Itgrowsobsolete，odious，andintolerable；itstandsfatallycondemnedtoanunhonouredoldage。

Thereinliesthebesthopeofadvancedthought，andthebestwaytohelpitsprospectsistoprovideinthefullest，frankestwayfortheconditionsofthepresentday。Warisoneofitsconditions；

itisitsprincipalcondition。Itliesattheheartofeveryquestionagitatingthefearsandhopesofahumanitydividedagainstitself。Thesucceedingageshavechangednothingexceptthewatchwordsofthearmies。Theintellectualstageofmankindbeingasyetinitsinfancy，andStates，likemostindividuals，havingbutafeebleandimperfectconsciousnessoftheworthandforceoftheinnerlife，theneedofmakingtheirexistencemanifesttothemselvesisdeterminedinthedirectionofphysicalactivity。Theideaofceasingtogrowinterritory，instrength，inwealth，ininfluence——inanythingbutwisdomandself-knowledge——

isodioustothemastheomenoftheend。Action，inwhichistobefoundtheillusionofamastereddestiny，canalonesatisfyouruneasyvanityandlaytorestthehauntingfearofthefuture——asentimentconcealed，indeed，butprovingitsexistencebytheforceithas，wheninvoked，tostirthepassionsofanation。Itwillbelongbeforewehavelearnedthatinthegreatdarknessbeforeusthereisnothingthatweneedfear。Letusactlestweperish——isthecry。AndtheonlyformofactionopentoaStatecanbeofnootherthanaggressivenature。

Therearemanykindsofaggressions，thoughthesanctionofthemisoneandthesame——themagazinerifleofthelatestpattern。InpreparationfororagainstthatformofactiontheStatesofEuropearespendingnowsuchmomentsofuneasyleisureastheycansnatchfromthelaboursoffactoryandcounting-house。

Neverbeforehaswarreceivedsomuchhomageatthelipsofmen，andreignedwithlessdisputedswayintheirminds。Ithasharnessedsciencetoitsgun-carriages，ithasenrichedafewrespectablemanufacturers，scattereddolesoffoodandraimentamongstafewthousandskilledworkmen，devouredthefirstyouthofwholegenerations，andreapeditsharvestofcountlesscorpses。Ithaspervertedtheintelligenceofmen，women，andchildren，andhasmadethespeechesofEmperors，Kings，Presidents，andMinistersmonotonouswithardentprotestationsoffidelitytopeace。Indeed，warhasmadepeacealtogetheritsown，ithasmodelleditonitsownimage:amartial，overbearing，war-lordsortofpeace，withamailedfist，andturned-upmoustaches，ringingwiththedinofgrandmanoeuvres，eloquentwithallusionstogloriousfeatsofarms；ithasmadepeacesomagnificentastobealmostasexpensivetokeepupasitself。Ithassentoutapostlesofitsown，whoatonetimewentabout(mostlyinnewspapers)preachingthegospelofthemysticsanctityofitssacrifices，andtheregeneratingpowerofspiltblood，tothepoorinmind——whosenameislegion。

Ithasbeenobservedthatinthecourseofearthlygreatnessadayofculminatingtriumphisoftenpaidforbyamorrowofsuddenextinction。Letushopeitisso。Yetthedawnofthatdayofretributionmaybealongtimebreakingaboveadarkhorizon。Wariswithusnow；and，whetherthisoneendssoonorlate，warwillbewithusagain。AnditisthewayoftruewisdomformenandStatestotakeaccountofthingsastheyare。

Civilisationhasdoneitslittlebestbyoursensibilitiesforwhosegrowthitisresponsible。Ithasmanagedtoremovethesightsandsoundsofbattlefieldsawayfromourdoorsteps。Butitcannotbeexpectedtoachievethefeatalwaysandundereveryvarietyofcircumstance。Somedayitmustfail，andweshallhavethenawealthofappallinglyunpleasantsensationsbroughthometouswithpainfulintimacy。ItisnotabsurdtosupposethatwhateverwarcomestousnextitwillNOTbeadistantwarwagedbyRussiaeitherbeyondtheAmurorbeyondtheOxus。

TheJapanesearmieshavelaidthatghostforever，becausetheRussiaofthefuturewillnot，forthereasonsexplainedabove，betheRussiaofto-day。Itwillnothavethesamethoughts，resentmentsandaims。Itisevenaquestionwhetheritwillpreserveitsgiganticframeunalteredandunbroken。Allspeculationlosesitselfinthemagnitudeoftheeventsmadepossiblebythedefeatofanautocracywhoseonlyshadowofatitletoexistencewastheinvinciblepowerofmilitaryconquest。ThatautocraticRussiawillhaveamiserableendinharmonywithitsbaseoriginandingloriouslifedoesnotseemopentodoubt。Theproblemoftheimmediatefutureisposednotbytheeventualmannerbutbytheapproachingfactofitsdisappearance。

TheJapanesearmies，inlayingtheoppressiveghost，havenotonlyaccomplishedwhatwillberecognisedhistoricallyasanimportantmissionintheworld\'sstruggleagainstallformsofevil，buthavealsocreatedasituation。TheyhavecreatedasituationintheEastwhichtheyarecompetenttomanagebythemselves；andindoingthistheyhavebroughtaboutachangeintheconditionoftheWestwithwhichEuropeisnotwellpreparedtodeal。Thecommongroundofconcord，goodfaithandjusticeisnotsufficienttoestablishanactionupon；sincetheconscienceofbutveryfewmenamongstus，andofnosingleWesternnationasyet，willbrooktherestraintofabstractideasasagainstthefascinationofamaterialadvantage。Andeagle-eyedwisdomalonecannottaketheleadofhumanaction，whichinitsnaturemustforeverremainshort-sighted。Thetroubleofthecivilisedworldisthewantofacommonconservativeprincipleabstractenoughtogivetheimpulse，practicalenoughtoformtherallyingpointofinternationalactiontendingtowardstherestraintofparticularambitions。Peacetribunalsinstitutedforthegreatergloryofwarwillnotreplaceit。Whethersuchaprincipleexists——whocansay?Ifitdoesnot，thenitoughttobeinvented。Asagewithasenseofhumourandaheartofcompassionshouldsetaboutitwithoutlossoftime，andasolemnprophetfullofwordsandfireoughttobegiventhetaskofpreparingtheminds。Sofarthereisnotraceofsuchaprincipleanywhereinsight；evenitsplausibleimitations(neververyeffective)havedisappearedlongagobeforethedoctrineofnationalaspirations。ILN\'YAPLUSD\'EUROPE——thereisonlyanarmedandtradingcontinent，thehomeofslowlymaturingeconomicalcontestsforlifeanddeathandofloudlyproclaimedworld-wideambitions。Therearealsootherambitionsnotsoloud，butdeeplyrootedintheenviousacquisitivetemperamentofthelastcorneramongstthegreatPowersoftheContinent，whosefeetarenotexactlyintheocean——notyet——andwhoseheadisveryhighup——inPomerania，thebreedingplaceofsuchpreciousGrenadiersthatPrinceBismarck(whomitisapleasuretoquote)wouldnothavegiventhebonesofoneofthemforthesettlementoftheoldEasternQuestion。Buttimeshavechanged，since，bywayofkeepingup，Isuppose，someoldbarbaricGermanrite，thefaithfulservantoftheHohenzollernswasburiedalivetocelebratetheaccessionofanewEmperor。

Alreadythevoiceofsurmiseshasbeenheardhintingtentativelyatapossiblere-groupingofEuropeanPowers。TheallianceofthethreeEmpiresissupposedpossible。Anditmaybepossible。ThemythofRussia\'spowerisdyingveryhard——hardenoughforthatcombinationtotakeplace——suchisthefascinationthatadiscreditedshowofnumberswillstillexerciseupontheimaginationofapeopletrainedtotheworshipofforce。Germanymaybewillingtolenditssupporttoatotteringautocracyforthesakeofanundisputedfirstplace，andofapreponderatingvoiceinthesettlementofeveryquestioninthatsouth-eastofEuropewhichmergesintoAsia。Noprinciplebeinginvolvedinsuchanallianceofmereexpediency，itwouldneverbeallowedtostandinthewayofGermany\'sotherambitions。Thefallofautocracywouldbringitsrestraintautomaticallytoanend。ThusitmaybebelievedthatthesupportRussiandespotismmaygetfromitsoncehumblefriendandclientwillnotbestampedbythatthoroughnesswhichissupposedtobethemarkofGermansuperiority。Russiaweakeneddowntothesecondplace，orRussiaeclipsedaltogetherduringthethroesofherregeneration，willanswerequallywelltheplansofGermanpolicy——whicharemanyandvariousandoftenincredible，thoughtheaimofthemallisthesame:aggrandisementofterritoryandinfluence，withnoregardtorightandjustice，eitherintheEastorintheWest。ForthatandnootheristhetruenoteofyourWELT-POLITIKwhichdesirestolive。

TheGermaneaglewithaPrussianheadlooksallroundthehorizon，notsomuchforsomethingtodothatwouldcountforgoodintherecordsoftheearth，assimplyforsomethinggoodtoget。Hegazesuponthelandandupontheseawiththesamecovetoussteadiness，forhehasbecomeoflateamaritimeeagle，andhaslearnedtoboxthecompass。Hegazesnorthandsouth，andeastandwest，andisinclinedtolookintemperatelyuponthewatersoftheMediterraneanwhentheyareblue。ThedisappearanceoftheRussianphantomhasgivenaforebodingofunwontedfreedomtotheWELT-

POLITIK。AccordingtothenationaltendencythisassumptionofImperialimpulseswouldrunintothegrotesquewereitnotforthespikesofthePICKELHAUBESpeepingoutgrimlyfrombehind。

Germany\'sattitudeprovesthatnopeacefortheearthcanbefoundintheexpansionofmaterialinterestswhichsheseemstohaveadoptedexclusivelyasheronlyaim，ideal，andwatchword。Fortheuseofthosewhogazehalf-unbelievingatthepassingawayoftheRussianphantom，partGhoul，partDjinn，partOldManoftheSea，andwaithalf-doubtingforthebirthofanation\'ssoulinthisagewhichknowsnomiracles，theonce-famoussayingofpoorGambetta，tribuneofthepeople(whowassimpleandbelievedinthe“immanentjusticeofthings“)，maybeadaptedintheshapeofawarningthat，sofarasafutureofliberty，concord，andjusticeisconcerned:

“LePrussianisme——voilel\'ennemi！“

THECRIMEOFPARTITION——1919

Attheendoftheeighteenthcentury，whenthepartitionofPolandhadbecomeanaccomplishedfact，theworldqualifieditatonceasacrime。Thisstrongcondemnationproceeded，ofcourse，fromtheWestofEurope；thePowersoftheCentre，PrussiaandAustria，werenotlikelytoadmitthatthisspoliationfellintothecategoryofactsmorallyreprehensibleandcarryingthetaintofanti-socialguilt。AstoRussia，thethirdpartytothecrime，andtheoriginatorofthescheme，shehadnonationalconscienceatthetime。ThewillofitsrulerswasalwaysacceptedbythepeopleastheexpressionofanomnipotencederiveddirectlyfromGod。Asanactofmereconquestthebestexcuseforthepartitionlaysimplyinthefactthatithappenedtobepossible；therewastheplunderandtherewastheopportunitytogetholdofit。CatherinetheGreatlookeduponthisextensionofherdominionswithacynicalsatisfaction。HerpoliticalargumentthatthedestructionofPolandmeanttherepressionofrevolutionaryideasandthecheckingofthespreadofJacobinisminEuropewasacharacteristicallyimpudentpretence。TheremayhavebeenmindshereandthereamongsttheRussiansthatperceived，orperhapsonlyfelt，thatbytheannexationofthegreaterpartofthePolishRepublic，Russiaapproachednearertothecomityofcivilisednationsandceased，atleastterritorially，tobeanAsiaticPower。

ItwasonlyafterthepartitionofPolandthatRussiabegantoplayagreatpartinEurope。Tosuchstatesmenasshehadthenthatactofbrigandagemusthaveappearedinspiredbygreatpoliticalwisdom。TheKingofPrussia，faithfultotherulingprincipleofhislife，wishedsimplytoaggrandisehisdominionsatamuchsmallercostandatmuchlessriskthanhecouldhavedoneinanyotherdirection；foratthattimePolandwasperfectlydefencelessfromamaterialpointofview，andmorethanever，perhaps，inclinedtoputitsfaithinhumanitarianillusions。Morally，theRepublicwasinastateoffermentandconsequentweakness，whichsooftenaccompaniestheperiodofsocialreform。Thestrengtharrayedagainstherwasjustthenoverwhelming；Imeanthecomparativelyhonest(becauseopen)strengthofarmedforces。But，probablyfrominnateinclinationtowardstreachery，FrederickofPrussiaselectedforhimselfthepartoffalsehoodanddeception。

AppearingonthesceneinthecharacterofafriendheentereddeliberatelyintoatreatyofalliancewiththeRepublic，andthen，beforetheinkwasdry，toreitupinbrazendefianceofthecommonestdecency，whichmusthavebeenextremelygratifyingtohisnaturaltastes。

AstoAustria，itsheddiplomatictearsoverthetransaction。Theycannotbecalledcrocodiletears，insomuchthattheywereinameasuresincere。TheyarosefromavividperceptionthatAustria\'sallottedshareofthespoilcouldnevercompensateherfortheaccessionofstrengthandterritorytotheothertwoPowers。

AustriadidnotreallywantanextensionofterritoryatthecostofPoland。Shecouldnothopetoimproveherfrontierinthatway，andeconomicallyshehadnoneedofGalicia，aprovincewhosenaturalresourceswereundevelopedandwhosesaltminesdidnotarousehercupiditybecauseshehadsaltminesofherown。NodoubtthedemocraticcomplexionofPolishinstitutionswasverydistastefultotheconservativemonarchy；AustrianstatesmendidseeatthetimethattherealdangertotheprincipleofautocracywasintheWest，inFrance，andthatalltheforcesofCentralEuropewouldbeneededforitssuppression。ButthemovementtowardsaPARTAGEonthepartofRussiaandPrussiawastoodefinitetoberesisted，andAustriahadtofollowtheirleadinthedestructionofaStatewhichshewouldhavepreferredtopreserveasapossibleallyagainstPrussianandRussianambitions。

ItmaybetrulysaidthatthedestructionofPolandsecuredthesafetyoftheFrenchRevolution。Forwhenin1795thecrimewasconsummated，theRevolutionhadturnedthecornerandwasinastatetodefenditselfagainsttheforcesofreaction。

InthesecondhalfoftheeighteenthcenturythereweretwocentresofliberalideasonthecontinentofEurope:FranceandPoland。

OnanimpartialsurveyonemaysaywithoutexaggerationthatthenFrancewasrelativelyeverybitasweakasPoland；even，perhaps，moreso。ButFrance\'sgeographicalpositionmadehermuchlessvulnerable。Shehadnopowerfulneighboursonherfrontier；adecayedSpaininthesouthandaconglomerationofsmallGermanPrincipalitiesontheeastwereherhappylot。TheonlyStateswhichdreadedthecontaminationofthenewprinciplesandhadenoughpowertocombatitwerePrussia，Austria，andRussia，andtheyhadanothercentreofforbiddenideastodealwithindefencelessPoland，unprotectedbynature，andofferinganimmediatesatisfactiontotheircupidity。Theymadetheirchoice，andtheuntoldsufferingsofanationwhichwouldnotdiewasthepriceexactedbyfateforthetriumphofrevolutionaryideals。

Thusevenacrimemaybecomeamoralagentbythelapseoftimeandthecourseofhistory。Progressleavesitsdeadbytheway，forprogressisonlyagreatadventureasitsleadersandchiefsknowverywellintheirhearts。Itisamarchintoanundiscoveredcountry；andinsuchanenterprisethevictimsdonotcount。AsanemotionaloutletfortheoratoryoffreedomitwasconvenientenoughtoremembertheCrimenowandthen:theCrimebeingthemurderofaStateandthecarvingofitsbodyintothreepieces。

Therewasreallynothingtodobuttodropafewtearsandafewflowersofrhetoricuponthegrave。Butthespiritofthenationrefusedtoresttherein。IthauntedtheterritoriesoftheOldRepublicinthemannerofaghosthauntingitsancestralmansionwherestrangersaremakingthemselvesathome；acalumniated，ridiculed，andpooh-pooh\'dghost，andyetneverceasingtoinspireasortofawe，astrangeuneasiness，intheheartsoftheunlawfulpossessors。Polanddeprivedofitsindependence，ofitshistoricalcontinuity，withitsreligionandlanguagepersecutedandrepressed，becameameregeographicalexpression。Andeventhat，itself，seemedstrangelyvague，hadlostitsdefinitecharacter，wasrendereddoubtfulbythetheoriesandtheclaimsofthespoliatorswho，byastrangeeffectofuneasyconscience，whilestrenuouslydenyingthemoralguiltofthetransaction，werealwaystryingtothrowaveilofhighrectitudeovertheCrime。Whatwasmostannoyingtotheirrighteousnesswasthefactthatthenation，stabbedtotheheart，refusedtogrowinsensibleandcold。ThatpersistentandalmostuncannyvitalitywassometimesveryinconvenienttotherestofEuropealso。ItwouldintrudeitsirresistibleclaimintoeveryproblemofEuropeanpolitics，intothetheoryofEuropeanequilibrium，intothequestionoftheNearEast，theItalianquestion，thequestionofSchleswig-Holstein，andintothedoctrineofnationalities。Thatghost，notcontentwithmakingitsancestralhallsuncomfortableforthethieves，hauntedalsotheCabinetsofEurope，wavedindecentlyitsbloodstainedrobesinthesolemnatmosphereofCouncil-rooms，wherecongressesandconferencessitwithclosedwindows。ItwouldnotbeexorcisedbythebrutaljeersofBismarckandthefinerailleriesofGorchakov。

AsaPolishfriendobservedtomesomeyearsago:“Tilltheyear\'48thePolishproblemhasbeentoacertainextentaconvenientrallying-pointforallmanifestationsofliberalism。Sincethattimewehavecometoberegardedsimplyasanuisance。It\'sverydisagreeable。”

Iagreedthatitwas，andhecontinued:“Whatarewetodo?Wedidnotcreatethesituationbyanyoutsideactionofours。

ThroughallthecenturiesofitsexistencePolandhasneverbeenamenacetoanybody，noteventotheTurks，towhomithasbeenmerelyanobstacle。”

Nothingcouldbemoretrue。ThespiritofaggressivenesswasabsolutelyforeigntothePolishtemperament，towhichthepreservationofitsinstitutionsanditslibertieswasmuchmorepreciousthananyideasofconquest。Polishwarsweredefensive，andtheyweremostlyfoughtwithinPoland\'sownborders。Andthatthoseterritorieswereofteninvadedwasbutamisfortunearisingfromitsgeographicalposition。Territorialexpansionwasneverthemaster-thoughtofPolishstatesmen。TheconsolidationoftheterritoriesoftheSERENISSIMERepublic，whichmadeofitaPowerofthefirstrankforatime，wasnotaccomplishedbyforce。Itwasnottheconsequenceofsuccessfulaggression，butofalongandsuccessfuldefenceagainsttheraidingneighboursfromtheEast。

ThelandsofLithuanianandRuthenianspeechwereneverconqueredbyPoland。Thesepeopleswerenotcompelledbyaseriesofexhaustingwarstoseeksafetyinannexation。Itwasnotthewillofaprinceorapoliticalintriguethatbroughtabouttheunion。

Neitherwasitfear。Theslowly-maturedviewoftheeconomicalandsocialnecessitiesand，beforeall，theripeningmoralsenseofthemasseswerethemotivesthatinducedthefortythreerepresentativesofLithuanianandRuthenianprovinces，ledbytheirparamountprince，toenterintoapoliticalcombinationuniqueinthehistoryoftheworld，aspontaneousandcompleteunionofsovereignStateschoosingdeliberatelythewayofpeace。NeverwasstricttruthbetterexpressedinapoliticalinstrumentthaninthepreambleofthefirstUnionTreaty(1413)。Itbeginswiththewords:“ThisUnion，beingtheoutcomenotofhatred，butoflove“——

wordsthatPoleshavenotheardaddressedtothempoliticallybyanynationforthelasthundredandfiftyyears。

Thisunionbeinganorganic，livingthingcapableofgrowthanddevelopmentwas，later，modifiedandconfirmedbytwoothertreaties，whichguaranteedtoallthepartiesinajustandeternalunionalltheirrights，liberties，andrespectiveinstitutions。

ThePolishStateoffersasingularinstanceofanextremelyliberaladministrativefederalismwhich，initsParliamentarylifeaswellasitsinternationalpolitics，presentedacompleteunityoffeelingandpurpose。AsaneminentFrenchdiplomatistremarkedmanyyearsago:“ItisaveryremarkablefactinthehistoryofthePolishState，thisinvariableandunanimousconsentofthepopulations；themoresothat，theKingbeinglookeduponsimplyasthechiefoftheRepublic，therewasnomonarchicalbond，nodynasticfidelitytocontrolandguidethesentimentofthenations，andtheirunionremainedasapureaffirmationofthenationalwill。”TheGrandDuchyofLithuaniaanditsRuthenianProvincesretainedtheirstatutes，theirownadministration，andtheirownpoliticalinstitutions。ThatthoseinstitutionsinthecourseoftimetendedtoassimilationwiththePolishformwasnottheresultofanypressure，butsimplyofthesuperiorcharacterofPolishcivilisation。

EvenafterPolandlostitsindependencethisallianceandthisunionremainedfirminspiritandfidelity。AllthenationalmovementstowardsliberationwereinitiatedinthenameofthewholemassofpeopleinhabitingthelimitsoftheoldRepublic，andalltheProvincestookpartinthemwithcompletedevotion。Itisonlyinthelastgenerationthateffortshavebeenmadetocreateatendencytowardsseparation，whichwouldindeedservenoonebutPoland\'scommonenemies。And，strangelyenough，itistheinternationalists，menwhoprofessedlycarenothingforraceorcountry，whohavesetthemselvesthistaskofdisruption，onecaneasilyseeforwhatsinisterpurpose。Thewaysoftheinternationalistsmaybedark，buttheyarenotinscrutable。

FromthesamesourcenodoubttherewillflowinthefutureapoisonedstreamofhintsofareconstitutedPolandbeingadangertotheracesoncesocloselyassociatedwithintheterritoriesoftheOldRepublic。Theoldpartnersin“theCrime“arenotlikelytoforgivetheirvictimitsinconvenientandalmostshockingobstinacyinkeepingalive。Theyhadtriedmoralassassinationbeforeandwithsomesmallmeasureofsuccess，for，indeed，thePolishquestion，likealllivingreproaches，hadbecomeanuisance。

Giventhewrong，andtheapparentimpossibilityofrightingitwithoutrunningrisksofaseriousnature，somemoralalleviationmaybefoundinthebeliefthatthevictimhadbroughtitsmisfortunesonitsownheadbyitsownsins。Thattheory，too，hadbeenadvancedaboutPoland(asifothernationshadknownnothingofsinandfolly)，anditmadesomewayintheworldatdifferenttimes，simplybecausegoodcarewastakenbytheinterestedpartiestostopthemouthoftheaccused。Butithasnevercarriedmuchconvictiontohonestminds。Somehow，indefianceofthecynicalpointofviewastotheForceofLiesandagainstallthepoweroffalsifiedevidence，truthoftenturnsouttobestrongerthancalumny。Withthecourseofyears，however，anotherdangersprangup，adangerarisingnaturallyfromthenewpoliticalalliancesdividingEuropeintotwoarmedcamps。Itwasthedangerofsilence。AlmostwithoutexceptionthePressofWesternEuropeinthetwentiethcenturyrefusedtotouchthePolishquestioninanyshapeorformwhatever。NeverwasthefactofPolishvitalitymoreembarrassingtoEuropeandiplomacythanontheeveofPoland\'sresurrection。

Whenthewarbrokeouttherewassomethinggruesomelycomicintheproclamationsofemperorsandarchdukesappealingtothatinvinciblesoulofanationwhoseexistenceormoralworththeyhadbeensoarrogantlydenyingformorethanacentury。PerhapsinthewholerecordofhumantransactionstherehaveneverbeenperformancessobrazenandsovileasthemanifestoesoftheGermanEmperorandtheGrandDukeNicholasofRussia；and，Iimagine，nomorebitterinsulthasbeenofferedtohumanheartandintelligencethanthewayinwhichthoseproclamationswereflungintothefaceofhistoricaltruth。Itwaslikeasceneinacynicalandsinisterfarce，theabsurdityofwhichbecameinsomesortunfathomablebythereflectionthatnobodyintheworldcouldpossiblybesoabjectlystupidastobedeceivedforasinglemoment。Atthattime，andforthefirsttwomonthsofthewar，IhappenedtobeinPoland，andIrememberperfectlywellthat，whenthosepreciousdocumentscameout，theconfidenceinthemoralturpitudeofmankindtheyimplieddidnotevenraiseascornfulsmileonthelipsofmenwhosemostsacredfeelingsanddignitytheyoutraged。

Theydidnotdeigntowastetheircontemptonthem。Infact，thesituationwastoopoignantandtooinvolvedforeitherhotscornoracoldlyrationaldiscussion。ForthePolesitwaslikebeinginaburninghouseofwhichalltheissueswerelocked。Therewasnothingbutsheeranguishunderthestrange，asifstony，calmnesswhichintheutterabsenceofallhopefallsonmindsthatarenotconstitutionallypronetodespair。Yetinthistimeofdismaytheirrepressiblevitalityofthenationwouldnotacceptaneutralattitude。IwastoldthateveniftherewerenoissueitwasabsolutelynecessaryforthePolestoaffirmtheirnationalexistence。Passivity，whichcouldberegardedasacravenacceptanceofallthematerialandmoralhorrorsreadytofalluponthenation，wasnottobethoughtofforamoment。Therefore，itwasexplainedtome，thePolesMUSTact。Whetherthiswasacounselofwisdomornotitisverydifficulttosay，buttherearecrisesofthesoulwhicharebeyondthereachofwisdom。Whenthereisapparentlynoissuevisibletotheeyesofreason，sentimentmayyetfindawayout，eithertowardssalvationortoutterperdition，noonecantell——andthesentimentdoesnotevenaskthequestion。Beingthereasastrangerinthattenseatmosphere，whichwasyetnotunfamiliartome，Iwasnotveryanxioustoparademywisdom，especiallyafterithadbeenpointedoutinanswertomycautiousargumentsthat，iflifehasitsvaluesworthfightingfor，death，too，hasthatinitwhichcanmakeitworthyorunworthy。

OutofthementalandmoraltroubleintowhichthegroupingofthePowersatthebeginningofwarhadthrownthecounselsofPolandthereemergedatlastthedecisionthatthePolishLegions，apeaceorganisationinGaliciadirectedbyPilsudski(afterwardsgiventherankofGeneral，andnowapparentlytheChiefoftheGovernmentinWarsaw)，shouldtakethefieldagainsttheRussians。Inrealityitdidnotmatteragainstwhichpartnerinthe“Crime“Polishresentmentshouldbedirected。TherewaslittletochoosebetweenthemethodsofRussianbarbarism，whichwerebothcrudeandrotten，andthecultivatedbrutalitytingedwithcontemptofGermany\'ssuperficial，grindingcivilisation。Therewasnothingtochoosebetweenthem。Bothwerehateful，andthedirectionofthePolisheffortwasnaturallygovernedbyAustria\'stolerantattitude，whichhadconnivedforyearsatthesemi-secretorganisationofthePolishLegions。Besides，thematerialpossibilitypointedouttheway。ThatPolandshouldhaveturnedatfirstagainsttheallyofWesternPowers，towhosemoralsupportshehadbeenlookingforsomanyyears，isnotagreatermonstrositythanthatalliancewithRussiawhichhadbeenenteredintobyEnglandandFrancewithratherlessexcuseandwithaviewtoeventualitieswhichcouldperhapshavebeenavoidedbyafirmerpolicyandbyagreaterresolutioninthefaceofwhatplainlyappearedunavoidable。

Forletthetruthbespoken。TheactionofGermany，howevercruel，sanguinary，andfaithless，wasnothinginthenatureofastabinthedark。TheGermanicTribeshadtoldthewholeworldinallpossibletonescarryingconviction，thegentlypersuasive，thecoldlylogical；intonesHegelian，Nietzschean，war-like，pious，cynical，inspired，whattheyweregoingtodototheinferiorracesoftheearth，sofullofsinandallunworthiness。Butwithastrangesimilaritytotheprophetsofold(whowerealsogreatmoralistsandinvokersofmight)theyseemedtobecryinginadesert。Whatevermighthavebeenthesecretsearchingofhearts，theWorthlessOneswouldnottakeheed。ItmustalsobeadmittedthattheconductofthemenacedGovernmentscarriedwithitnosuggestionofresistance。Itwasnodoubt，theeffectofneithercouragenorfear，butofthatprudencewhichcausestheaveragemantostandverystillinthepresenceofasavagedog。Itwasnotaverypoliticattitude，andthemorereprehensibleinsofarthatitseemedtoarisefromthemistrustoftheirownpeople\'sfortitude。

Onsimplemattersoflifeanddeathapeopleisalwaysbetterthanitsleaders，becauseapeoplecannotargueitselfasawholeintoasophisticatedstateofmindoutofdeferenceforameredoctrineorfromanexaggeratedsenseofitsowncleverness。IamspeakingnowofdemocracieswhosechiefsresemblethetyrantofSyracuseinthis，thattheirpowerisunlimited(forwhocanlimitthewillofavotingpeople?)andwhoalwaysseethedomesticswordhangingbyahairabovetheirheads。

PerhapsadifferentattitudewouldhavecheckedGermanself-

confidence，andherovergrownmilitarismwouldhavediedfromtheexcessofitsownstrength。WhatwouldhavebeenthenthemoralstateofEuropeitisdifficulttosay。Someotherexcesswouldprobablyhavetakenitsplace，excessoftheory，orexcessofsentiment，oranexcessofthesenseofsecurityleadingtosomeotherformofcatastrophe；butitiscertainthatinthatcasethePolishquestionwouldnothavetakenaconcreteformforages。

Perhapsitwouldneverhavetakenform！Inthisworld，whereeverythingistransient，eventhemostreproachfulghostsendbyvanishingoutofoldmansions，outofmen\'sconsciences。Progressofenlightenment，ordecayoffaith?IntheyearsbeforethewarthePolishghostwasbecomingsothinthatitwasimpossibletogetforittheslightestmentioninthepapers。AyoungPolecomingtomefromPariswasextremelyindignant，butI，indulginginthatdetachmentwhichistheproductofgreaterage，longerexperience，andahabitofmeditation，refusedtosharethatsentiment。HehadgonebeggingforawordonPolandtomanyinfluentialpeople，andtheyhadoneandalltoldhimthattheyweregoingtodonosuchthing。Theywereallmenofideasandthereforemighthavebeencalledidealists，butthenotionmoststronglyanchoredintheirmindswasthefollyoftouchingaquestionwhichcertainlyhadnomeritofactualityandwouldhavehadtheappallingeffectofprovokingthewrathoftheiroldenemiesandatthesametimeoffendingthesensibilitiesoftheirnewfriends。Itwasanunanswerableargument。Icouldn\'tsharemyyoungfriend\'ssurpriseandindignation。Mypracticeofreflectionhadalsoconvincedmethatthereisnothingonearththatturnsquickeronitspivotthanpoliticalidealismwhentouchedbythebreathofpracticalpolitics。

ItwouldbegoodtorememberthatPolishindependenceasembodiedinaPolishStateisnotthegiftofanykindofjournalism，neitherisittheoutcomeevenofsomeparticularlybenevolentideaorofanyclearlyapprehendedsenseofguilt。IamspeakingofwhatIknowwhenIsaythattheoriginalandonlyformativeideainEuropewastheideaofdeliveringthefateofPolandintothehandsofRussianTsarism。And，letusremember，itwasassumedthentobeavictoriousTsarismatthat。Itwasanideatalkedofopenly，entertainedseriously，presentedasabenevolence，withacuriousblindnesstoitsgrotesqueandghastlycharacter。Itwastheideaofdeliveringthevictimwithakindlysmileandtheconfidentassurancethat“itwouldbeallright“toaperfectlyunrepentantassassin，who，aftersawingfuriouslyatitsthroatforahundredyearsorso，wasexpectedtomakefriendssuddenlyandkissitonbothcheeksinthemysticRussianfashion。Itwasasingularlynightmarishcombinationofinternationalpolity，andnowhisperofanyotherwouldhavebeenofficiallytolerated。Indeed，IdonotthinkinthewholeextentofWesternEuropetherewasanybodywhohadtheslightestmindtowhisperonthatsubject。Thosewerethedaysofthedarkfuture，whenBenckendorfputdownhisnameontheCommitteefortheReliefofPolishPopulationsdrivenbytheRussianarmiesintotheheartofRussia，whentheGrandDukeNicholas(thegentlemanwhoadvocatedaSt。Bartholomew\'sNightforthesuppressionofRussianliberalism)wasdisplayinghis“divine“

(IhavereadtheverywordinanEnglishnewspaperofstanding)

strategyinthegreatretreat，whereMr。IswolskycarriedhimselfhaughtilyonthebanksoftheSeine；anditwasbeginningtodawnuponcertainpeopletherethathewasagreaternuisanceeventhanthePolishquestion。

Butthereisnouseintalkingaboutallthat。Somecleverpersonhassaidthatitisalwaystheunexpectedthathappens，andonacalmanddispassionatesurveytheworlddoesappearmainlytooneasasceneofmiracles。OutofGermany\'sstrength，inwhosepurposesomanypeoplerefusedtobelieve，camePoland\'sopportunity，inwhichnobodycouldhavebeenexpectedtobelieve。

OutofRussia\'scollapseemergedthatforbiddenthing，thePolishindependence，notasavengefulfigure，theretributiveshadowofthecrime，butassomethingmuchmoresolidandmoredifficulttogetridof——apoliticalnecessityandamoralsolution。Directlyitappeareditspracticalusefulnessbecameundeniable，andalsothefactthat，forbetterorworse，itwasimpossibletogetridofitagainexceptbytheunthinkablewayofanothercarving，ofanotherpartition，ofanothercrime。

Thereinliethestrengthandthefutureofthethingsostrictlyforbiddennofartherbackthantwoyearsorso，ofthePolishindependenceexpressedinaPolishState。Itcomesintotheworldmorallyfree，notinvirtueofitssufferings，butinvirtueofitsmiraculousrebirthandofitsancientclaimforservicesrenderedtoEurope。NotasingleoneofthecombatantsofallthefrontsoftheworldhasdiedconsciouslyforPoland\'sfreedom。ThatsupremeopportunitywasdeniedeventoPoland\'sownchildren。Anditisjustaswell！Providenceinitsinscrutablewayhadbeenmerciful，forhaditbeenotherwisetheloadofgratitudewouldhavebeentoogreat，thesenseofobligationtoocrushing，thejoyofdeliverancetoofearfulformortals，commonsinnerswiththerestofmankindbeforetheeyeoftheMostHigh。ThosewhodiedEastandWest，leavingsomuchanguishandsomuchpridebehindthem，diedneitherforthecreationofStates，norforemptywords，noryetforthesalvationofgeneralideas。Theydiedneitherfordemocracy，norleagues，norsystems，noryetforabstractjustice，whichisanunfathomablemystery。Theydiedforsomethingtoodeepforwords，toomightyforthecommonstandardsbywhichreasonmeasurestheadvantagesoflifeanddeath，toosacredforthevaindiscoursesthatcomeandgoonthelipsofdreamers，fanatics，humanitarians，andstatesmen。Theydied……

Poland\'sindependencespringsupfromthatgreatimmolation，butPoland\'sloyaltytoEuropewillnotberootedinanythingsotrenchantandburdensomeasthesenseofanimmeasurableindebtedness，ofthatgratitudewhichinaworldlysenseissometimescalledeternal，butwhichliesalwaysatthemercyofwearinessandisfatallycondemnedbytheinstabilityofhumansentimentstoendinnegation。Polishloyaltywillberootedinsomethingmuchmoresolidandenduring，insomethingthatcouldneverbecalledeternal，butwhichis，infact，life-enduring。Itwillberootedinthenationaltemperament，whichisabouttheonlythingonearththatcanbetrusted。Menmaydeteriorate，theymayimprovetoo，buttheydon\'tchange。Misfortuneisahardschoolwhichmayeithermatureorspoilanationalcharacter，butitmaybereasonablyadvancedthatthelongcourseofadversityofthemostcruelkindhasnotinjuredthefundamentalcharacteristicsofthePolishnationwhichhasproveditsvitalityagainstthemostdemoralisingodds。ThevariousphasesofthePolishsenseofself-

preservationstrugglingamongstthemenacingforcesandthenolessthreateningchaosoftheneighbouringPowersshouldbejudgedimpartially。Isuggestimpartialityandnotindulgencesimplybecause，whenappraisingthePolishquestion，itisnotnecessarytoinvokethesofteremotions。AlittlecalmreflectiononthepastandthepresentisallthatisnecessaryonthepartoftheWesternworldtojudgethemovementsofacommunitywhoseidealsarethesame，butwhosesituationisunique。Thissituationwasbroughtvividlyhometomeinthecourseofanargumentmorethaneighteenmonthsago。“Don\'tforget，“Iwastold，“thatPolandhasgottoliveincontactwithGermanyandRussiatotheendoftime。

Doyouunderstandtheforceofthatexpression:\'Totheendoftime\'?Factsmustbetakenintoaccount，andespeciallyappallingfacts，suchasthis，towhichthereisnopossibleremedyonearth。

Forreasonswhichare，properlyspeaking，physiological，aprospectoffriendshipwithGermansorRussianseveninthemostdistantfutureisunthinkable。Anyallianceofheartandmindwouldbeamonstrousthing，andmonsters，asweallknow，cannotlive。Youcan\'tbaseyourconductonamonstrousconception。Weareeitherworthornotworthpreserving，butthehorriblepsychologyofthesituationisenoughtodrivethenationalmindtodistraction。Yetunderadestructivepressure，ofwhichWesternEuropecanhavenonotion，appliedbyforcesthatwerenotonlycrushingbutcorrupting，wehavepreservedoursanity。Thereforetherecanbenofearofourlosingourmindssimplybecausethepressureisremoved。Wehaveneitherlostourheadsnoryetourmoralsense。

Oppression，notmerelypolitical，butaffectingsocialrelations，familylife，thedeepestaffectionsofhumannature，andtheveryfountofnaturalemotions，hasnevermadeusvengeful。Itisworthyofnoticethatwitheveryincentivepresentinouremotionalreactionswehadnorecoursetopoliticalassassination。Armsinhand，hopelessorhopefully，andalwaysagainstimmeasurableodds，wedidaffirmourselvesandthejusticeofourcause；butwildjusticehasneverbeenapartofourconceptionofnationalmanliness。InallthehistoryofPolishoppressiontherewasonlyoneshotfiredwhichwasnotinbattle。Onlyone！AndthemanwhofireditinParisattheEmperorAlexanderII。wasbutanindividualconnectedwithnoorganisation，representingnoshadeofPolishopinion。TheonlyeffectinPolandwasthatofprofoundregret，notatthefailure，butatthemerefactoftheattempt。

Thehistoryofourcaptivityisfreefromthatstain；andwhateverfolliesintheeyesoftheworldwemayhaveperpetrated，wehaveneithermurderedourenemiesnoractedtreacherouslyagainstthem，noryethavebeenreducedtothepointofcursingeachother。”

Icouldnotgainsaythetruthofthatdiscourse，IsawasclearlyasmyinterlocutortheimpossibilityofthefaintestsympatheticbondbetweenPolandandherneighbourseverbeingformedinthefuture。TheonlycoursethatremainstoareconstitutedPolandistheelaboration，establishment，andpreservationofthemostcorrectmethodofpoliticalrelationswithneighbourstowhomPoland\'sexistenceisboundtobeahumiliationandanoffence。

Calmlyconsidereditisanappallingtask，yetonemayputone\'strustinthatnationaltemperamentwhichissocompletelyfreefromaggressivenessandrevenge。Thereinliethefoundationsofallhope。Thesuccessofrenewedlifeforthatnationwhosefateistoremaininexile，everisolatedfromtheWest，amongsthostilesurroundings，dependsonthesympatheticunderstandingofitsproblemsbyitsdistantfriends，theWesternPowers，whichintheirdemocraticdevelopmentmustrecognisethemoralandintellectualkinshipofthatdistantoutpostoftheirowntypeofcivilisation，whichwastheonlybasisofPolishculture。

WhatevermaybethefutureofRussiaandthefinalorganisationofGermany，theoldhostilitymustremainunappeased，thefundamentalantagonismmustendureforyearstocome。TheCrimeofthePartitionwascommittedbyautocraticGovernmentswhichweretheGovernmentsoftheirtime；butthoseGovernmentswerecharacterisedinthepast，astheywillbeinthefuture，bytheirpeople\'snationaltraits，whichremainutterlyincompatiblewiththePolishmentalityandPolishsentiment。BoththeGermansubmissiveness(idealisticasitmaybe)andtheRussianlawlessness(fedonthecorruptionofallthevirtues)areutterlyforeigntothePolishnation，whosequalitiesanddefectsarealtogetherofanotherkind，tendingtoacertainexaggerationofindividualismand，perhaps，toanextremebeliefintheGoverningPowerofFreeAssent:theoneinvariablyvitalprincipleintheinternalgovernmentoftheOldRepublic。TherewasneverahistorymorefreefrompoliticalbloodshedthanthehistoryofthePolishState，whichneverkneweitherfeudalinstitutionsorfeudalquarrels。AtthetimewhenheadswerefallingonthescaffoldsalloverEuropetherewasonlyonepoliticalexecutioninPoland——onlyone；andastothattherestillexistsatraditionthatthegreatChancellorwhodemocratisedPolishinstitutions，andhadtoorderitinpursuanceofhispoliticalpurpose，couldnotsettlethatmatterwithhisconsciencetillthedayofhisdeath。Poland，too，hadhercivilwars，butthiscanhardlybemadeamatterofreproachtoherbytherestoftheworld。Conductedwithhumanity，theyleftbehindthemnoanimositiesandnosenseofrepression，andcertainlynolegacyofhatred。Theywerebutarecognisedargumentinpoliticaldiscussionandtendedalwaystowardsconciliation。

Icannotimagine，whateverformofdemocraticgovernmentPolandelaboratesforitself，thateitherthenationoritsleaderswoulddoanythingbutwelcometheclosestscrutinyoftheirrenewedpoliticalexistence。Thedifficultyoftheproblemofthatexistencewillbesogreatthatsomeerrorswillbeunavoidable，andonemaybesurethattheywillbetakenadvantageofbyitsneighbourstodiscreditthatlivingwitnesstoagreathistoricalcrime。Ifnottheactualfrontiers，thenthemoralintegrityofthenewStateissuretobeassailedbeforetheeyesofEurope。

Economicalenmitywillalsocomeintoplaywhentheworld\'sworkisresumedagainandcompetitionassertsitspower。Chargesofaggressionarecertaintobemade，especiallyasrelatedtothesmallStatesformedoftheterritoriesoftheOldRepublic。Andeverybodyknowsthepoweroflieswhichgoaboutclothedincoatsofmanycolours，whereas，asiswellknown，Truthhasnosuchadvantage，andforthatreasonisoftensuppressedasnotaltogetherproperforeverydaypurposes。Itisnotoftenrecognised，becauseitisnotalwaysfittobeseen。