186 RUSSIA THEN AND NOW 



loss of nearly half a billion dollars just when money 

 was most needed. But it was a wise act, for it saved 

 the country much more than the cost of the liquor and 

 made the people prosperous in spite of the war. That 

 the revolution was effected with so little rioting was 

 due to the elimination of alcohol. 



Finally he deserves credit for the last act of his 

 reign his resignation. When he was met at the 

 ancient free city of Pskov by the representatives of the 

 Duma with an edict of abdication ready for him to 

 sign, General Ivanov advised him to refuse, saying: 

 ' There is only one thing to be done. Open the Dvina 

 gate and let the Germans clean out the canaille of the 

 Duma. ' But the Czar said: "No, I will never betray 

 my country to maintain my throne. ' Not so did 

 Louis XVI. and Louis XVIII. and Francis Joseph and 

 many and other sovereign act in similar situations. 



Against the long list of crimes which are charged 

 against czardom these four beneficent acts at least 

 are to be credited to Nicholas II. 



The Independent. 



