LONDON, March 16, 1917 (UP) - Russia has stepped from archaic autocracy to ultra-modern democracy in three short days.
The cost in blood has been almost insignificant considering the immensity of the transaction.
The joy of the allied nations was unbounded today. Russia's spectacular casting off of the Old Man of the Sea, who undeniably had gravely imperiled the war's success, was hailed as an epochal event.
Hereafter Russia will be animated by the same ideals as her allies.
Russia's alliance has been an incongruity. An effective alliance between the autocracy of Russia and the democracy of France, England and other entente powers was impossible.
That alliance will now be cemented by the strength of the complete democracy of all peoples concerned.
A feature of the revolt indicating the widespread dissatisfaction of the Russian people with the old regime, was the comparative smoothness and the minimum of loss of life with which the nation made a leap over three centuries of despotism to popular control in three days.
The latest information obtainable here today from various Russian sources was that the duma, the army, the navy and the people were united against that element of Russia which, even if not thoroughly pro-German, was at least inefficient and corrupt.
The revolution had long been expected here. The announcement of its actual culmination caused no surprise, especially in view of the fact that communication had been suspended between Petrograd and London since Monday.
There was only astonishment that the revolters had succeeded so quickly.
Entente heads were particularly pleased at evidences of support of the new government from Moscow and other large centers no less than from the country districts.
British circles are confident that the control by the people means more vigorous prosecution of the war against Germany than ever was possible under the old regime.
It was believed that the new order may be the very step needed to turn the scale of victory to the allies.
