n the present war. Speaking of
England, he said:

Noble and mighty England, with all her strength, has come
forward to defend the right. Her services to the common cause
are great, their value inestimable. We believe in her and
admire her steadfastness and valor.

The enemies of Russia have already frequently attempted to sow
discord in these good and sincere relations, but such efforts
are vain. The Russian truth-loving national soul, sensitive of
any display of mendacity or insincerity, was able to sift the
chaff from the wheat, and faith in our friends is unshaken.
There is not a single cloud on the clear horizon of our
lasting allied harmony. Heartfelt greetings to you, true
friends, rulers of the waves and our companions in arms. May
victory and glory go with you everywhere!

These remarks were constantly interrupted by outbursts of tremendous
applause and by an ovation in honor of Sir George Buchanan, who bowed
his acknowledgments.

Alluding to temperance reform, the orator fervently exclaimed:

Accept, great monarch, the lowly reverence of thy people. Thy
people firmly believe that an end has been put for all
eternity to this ancient curse.

The terrible war can not and must not end otherwise than
victoriously for us and our allies. We will fight till our
foes submit to the conditions and demands which the victors
dictate to them. We are weary of the incessant brandishing of
the sword, the menaces to Slavdom, and the obstacles to its
natural growth. We will fight till the end, till we win a
lasting peace worthy of the great sacrifices we have offered
to our fatherland. In the name of our electorate, we here
declare, "So wishes all Russia."

And you, brave warrior knights in the cold trenches, proudly
bearing the standard of Russian imperialism, hearken to this
national outburst. Your task is difficult. You are surrounded
with trials and privations, but then you are Russian, for whom
no obstacles exist.

A scene of indescribable enthusiasm ensued, the House rising and singing
the national hymn.

The President's peroration was in part as follows:

The Premier, in the opening sentences of the speech which followed,
said: "Our heroic army, the flower and the pride of Russia, strong as
never before in its might, notwithstanding all its losses, grows and
st