Underwood & Underwood 



FUR AND FEATHERS: MASCOTS OF THE HEROIC RUSSIAN WOMEN'S "BATTALION 



OF DEATH" 



The advent of the woman soldier fighting for liberty in the armies of New Russia has 

 been one of the most inspiring developments of the war since the overthrow of the Romanoff 

 dynasty. These young women patriots have already set their brothers in arms a magnificent 

 example in loyalty, obedience to military authority, and bravery under fire. 



these sacrifices and is, as a matter of fact, 

 still fighting, while America has not yet 

 begun. It is my purely personal point of 

 view that the Russians have by their con- 

 tribution saved Europe, even if they fight 

 no more, though there is reason to be- 

 lieve that they will continue, in spite of 

 losses and political confusion, to battle 

 until the end. 



We have, however, reached a point 

 where the Allies can win without Russia. 

 Her staying in the war represents a sav- 

 ing in time and a saving of human life 

 and treasure rather than any difference 

 in the final issue. The collapse of Russia 

 in 1915 or 1916 might have lost the war; 

 but that moment has, in my judgment, 

 passed. Let us, therefore, recognize the 

 services of Russia in the years agone and 

 appreciate them before we consider the 

 situation of the present. 



In order to realize what the Russians 

 are now going through politically, it is 



necessary to understand the average 

 point of view of their 180,000,000 odd 

 population. It must be understood that 

 of these millions the vast majority are 

 of the peasant class and can neither read 

 nor write. At the beginning of the con- 

 flict they knew little or nothing of the 

 issues of the war, but came to the colors 

 in the slow, unemotional, and negative 

 way that they always go to war. It is 

 foolish to say that the war was popular 

 in Russia. No war is ever really popular 

 in any country. 



"not willing to go, yet they went 

 willingly" 



Perhaps the attitude of the average 

 Russian is illustrated by the remark a 

 peasant made to me when asked if many 

 had gone from his village to the war. 

 "Nearly all of military age," he replied. 

 "And were they glad to go to the war?" 

 I asked him. "Who would so to war 



97 



