We have little space to speak of Russia, but that
matters comparatively little, for the telegraphic news that has come through during the week has not been of a very illuminating kind. The general impression received, however, is that Russia is gradually, if slowly, settling down, and in a satisfactory manner. By this we mean that the Russians of all shades of opinion are coming to see that they must beat the Germans before they attempt to settle their own internal affairs. They realize that if the Allies were to be beaten by the Germans, or if they wore to make a separate peace, the result would not be leisure to put their own affairs in order, but a certainty that Germany would deprive them of their newly won liberty. A certain inefficiency, and also a certain national kindliness, tempered the tyrannies of the old autocracy. But these qualities, negative and positive, do not belong to Russia's neighbours on the West, and this all Russia knows full well.
