Democracy's Salute to Freed Russia
Democracy's Salute to Freed Russia is an article published in The Daily Chronicle on 5 april 1917, including opinions on the "new Russia" by the following British authors : Arnold Bennett, the Bishop of Birmingham, Viscount Bryce O.M., Principal Ronald Burrows (King's College, London), Hall Caine, Dr. Clifford, Miss Marie Corelli, Will Crooks M.P., Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mrs. J. R. Green (widow of the famous historian), John Hodge M.P. (Minister for Labour), Sir Oliver Lodge, Sir William Dunn (Lord Mayor of London), T. P. O'Connor M.P., Mrs. Prankhurst, George Bernard Shaw, Sir Mark Sykes M.P., and H. G. Wells.
Below is the Arthur Conan Doyle part only :
Article
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
We who have watched from afar, seen dimly through the veil of battle which separates us, the great drama of Russia are filled with admiration for the action of the Duma. We can see their difficulties, with the forces of reaction upon one side, and those of anarchy upon the other. We see very clearly, also, that these are in truth the same force, for the lesson of all history is that the anarchy of today is the reaction of to-morrow. We pray with all our hearts that you may have the strength to overcome these forces of evil. Germany, which has so sense of honour herself, imagines that no such thing exists in others, and has approached Russia more than once with proposals for a separate peace, which would mean the breaking of an oath and the abandonment of friends. They have not ventured to do this to as, because they know that we had rather die to the last man than incur such dishonour; and now we are sure that they will not repeat such an insult to Russia, since they have to do with the whole of a noble nation, and not with a few individuals who might be coaxed or bribed to do their will. Therefore we turn to the war, feeling that we are stronger than ever, and that all the barbarities of our enemy will only make his downfall greater and his punishment more severe.
