upon.... Naturally
these prearranged reports will vary so as to satisfy the state of
mind in each particular country.'... 'If regicides are so easily
arranged,' I observed cautiously, 'perhaps the duration of this
"Revolution" is also definitely determined?'... There'll be a period
of revolution and distress,' my prisoner remarked, 'before our
country settles down to industry and contentment. But the desire of
"self-determination" will mislead the unfortunate and cause them to
embrace a tyranny of the most cruel and selfish type. This will last
for a time until gluttony destroys itself, as all excesses do. When
the country is dismembered by the activities of rival greeds, my poor
and honest peasants will turn upon their masters and restore this
nation's power. They need but education to accomplish glorious
results. They will obtain this education while they suffer and evolve
a science of self-government while learning to govern themselves.
It may seem strange to others when I say so; but not one of my whole
family is covetous of the Imperial Crown. We prefer peace and liberty
to all the pomp and penalties of Royal isolation from the rest of men
and women in the world. Royalty means SLAVERY of the most humiliating
form. The boy or girl that is doomed to Royal birth steps into a
prison with the first breath he breathes.... Take my own case; I
longed to get out and play rough-and-tumble with the boys I saw
staring at me in the streets. But I was taught by my English tutor,
Heath, that it would be lowering my dignity to associate with those
fine young boys. My "dignity" was placed in a strait-jacket and, in a
namby-pamby way, I was taught to play ALONE. I had cousins scattered
over Europe who took their lot more happily than I; but even they
regretted the mocking barriers that laid down a barrage between us
and the more fortunate chaps outside,--outside, they enjoyed
FREEDOM,--within, we were ALL prisoners in our little cells of
etiquette and traditionary bondage. At fifteen I was dragged away
to the Military Academy at Petrograd[A] and made to listen to old
Danilovich until I actually hated the very name of war. I resolved at
that time to inaugurate some means to get rid of such senseless waste
of life if intrusted with the power. The Hague was my interpretation
of what should constitute a proper exercise of international
obligation. You realize, of course, the precarious state of Russia
in a military sense,--while force w