A century may be all too short for the gigantic task of habilitating a Russian people--making the heterogeneous homogeneous, and converting an undeveloped peasantry into a capable citizenship.

The problem is unique, and one for which history affords no parallel.

In no other modern nation have the life forces been so abnormal in their adjustment.

And it is only because of the extraordinary quality of the Russian mind, because of its instinct for political power, and its genius for that instrument of power hitherto known as diplomacy--it is only because of these brilliant mental endowments that this chaotic mass of ethnic barbarism has been made to appear a fitting companion for her sister nations in the family of the Great Powers.
It is vain to expect the young Tsar to set about the task of demolishing the autocratic system created by his predecessors and ancestors.

That work is in charge of more august agents.