Russian Memories

Heroes—Russia's Faith in Victory—Our Emperor's Call—England's Greatness—I am Introduced to Mr. Gladst

little Serbia. I was driving near the Tverskoi Boulevard, when a sho

I exclaimed. "Is it a r

only want to call out the orchestra

ed my c

r God save the Tzar, while the whole

ng and shouting "Hurrah," some praying and making the s

1

assembled near St. Saviour's Church. A priest appeared with a cross. The whole crowd fell on

the Emperor visits Moscow, and speaks there with his powerful, animating voice, the old capita

shown me such splendid hospitality. Yet how differently everything had happened from what I had anticipated after the signing of the Anglo-Russian Agreement. It was not the gradual drawing together o

osperity to come," and yet here was my great ambition being realised

ed. {19} I remember so well those days forty years ago when our Foreign Office tried all it could to stop the reckless chivalry of the Russian p

ious and reserved than Moscow) showed an enthusiasm for the cause of the Christian

lgaria. That sympathy, however, bore chiefly a religious, not a political character, and as in almost all great nationa

of the Court and society went from ho

ere, with a sealed box for donations. Every effort was made to animate feelings of compassion for

oncerned with some insult levelled at Russia or the violation of her frontiers; it was the result of a {20} deep religious sense of justice in th

recognised that a terrible and fateful day had dawned, and throughout the dark days of the autumn of

f an oath given in the name of God. Certain words indeed are not meaningless

subjects. Now, the blasphemous Kaiser was trying to abolish every m

ace, our poor soldiers, in answer to my queries as to their wants and desires,

punish the infamous enemy. You do not know the ha

or not, but the {21} Mohammedans in Russia are treated exactly like other Russian subjects, and they know that in serving Ru

anks of the Imperial army and fleet. All doubts vanished beyond recall, for the utterance of the Sovereign was more decided, definite and determined th

oldiers sank, and which, like a ceaseless nightmare, disturbed the rest, even of our most illiterate p

ot enjoy and develop to the full the fruits of her labour and her natural wealth. Let your hearts be permeated with the consciousness that there can be no p

ook up and smile again, because Russia's blood has not been shed in vain. The news travelled on the wings of the wind, and over countless distant, unknown graves, it b

alone in our determination, that our A

of the whole nation, and a completely unprecedented percentage of the nation's manhood. Such figures, indeed, represent an entire people in arms—a people, however, that has taken upon itself the impossible task of measuri

ry, Monsieur Khvostoff, concluded his recent speech to the members of the Press Bureau. The same sentiments are echoed everywhere. We are determined and hopeful, and ready for every sacrifice, because, to quote our Empress Alexandra in her New Year's telegram to the Secretary of State, "A war that has been forced on us by our enemies, and that has attained dimensions un

discern the spirit of their Russia

did for Bulgaria, and from a sense of right and political honour. She could have remained neutral, safe in her sea defences, devoting her time to capturing the trade of the combatants. Instead of which she

was to give powerful support to my efforts to bring Russia and England closer together, whilst the other a few years later was to confer upon me the honorary title of which I have always been so proud.

now that my years of work have ended successfully, it may

l compliments, and he probably knew that, expert as he was in the art of flattery, nothing he coul

d wrote, apropos Beaconsfield's remark, and I have always striven, however

stone (Apr

stone (Apr

ing that would result in their working together towards a common end—peace. It is a strange trick of fate that the two countries should eventually be broug

Russia under the Russian High Command, and it is no secret that British sailors are fighting ship by ship with Russian sail

the "jingo days," when in the streets and music-halls was sung

fight; but, by

've got the ships, we

o do what Great Britain to her everlasting honour is doi

years he worked with me loyally towards the end I had in view. He never faltered in his denunciations of the unspeakable Tur

in close touch {26} and constant communication with me. His support and unflinching championship of what he thought to be the cause

m its Constantinople correspondent (Mr., now Sir, Edwin Pears), and the attention of the House of Commons was directed to the appalling allegations it contained. Mr. D

ir revolting detail the rumours of the slaughter of harmless Bulgarians, men, women and children. Convinced that the evidence was uncontrovertible, Mr. Gladstone plunged into the fray, first by publishi

power could have prevented. The nation insisted that they {27} should be allo

as occupied. I rushed fearlessly into print, as I have done for the last forty years when I felt that my pen might serve the purpose I had in mind. In those days editors were less hospitable towards me than they have since become. Mine was an unpopular cause, I wrote as a Russian patriot,

r broke out. In the streets are English and Russian girls and women selling small fla

nd whether the storm would pass or break, it is with gratitude and expressions of heartfelt thanks to the people who have so often shown me hospitality and {28} in time began to lis