The cheers that greeted Rodzianko’s declaration, and the remarkable ovation to the Allied ambassadors, who were present, amply demonstrated that, in spite of the frightful suffering and sacrifice which the nation had endured, all classes were united in their determination to win the war.  Only a corrupt section of the bureaucracy, at one end of the social scale, and a small section of extreme left-wing Socialists, at the other end of the social scale, were at that time anti-war.  There was this difference between the Socialist pacifists and the bureaucratic advocates of peace with Germany:  the former were not pro-German nor anti-Ally, but sincere internationalists, honest and brave—­however mistaken—­advocates of peace.  Outside of the bureaucracy there was no hostility to the Allies in Russia.  Except for the insignificant Socialist minority referred to, the masses of the Russian people realized that the defeat of the Hohenzollern dynasty was necessary to a realization of the ideal of a free Russia.  The new and greater revolution was already beginning, and determination to defeat the Hohenzollern bulwark of the Romanov despotism was almost universal.  The whole nation was pervaded by this spirit.

Paul Miliukov, leader of the Constitutional Democrats, popularly known as the “Cadets,” furiously lashed Premier Sturmer and quoted the irrefutable evidence of his pro-Germanism and of his corruption.  Sturmer reeled under the smashing attack.  In his rage he forbade the publication of Miliukov’s speech, but hundreds of thousands of copies of it were secretly printed and distributed.  Every one recognized that there was war between the Duma and the government, and notwithstanding the criticism of the Socialists, who naturally regarded it as a bourgeois body, the Duma represented Russia.

Sturmer proposed to his Cabinet the dissolution of the Duma, but failed to obtain the support of a majority.  Then he determined to get the Czar’s signature to a decree of dissolution.  But the Czar was at the General Headquarters of the army at the time and therefore surrounded by army officers, practically all of whom were with the Duma and inspired by a bitter resentment of the pro-German intrigues, especially the neglect of the army organization.  The weak will of Nicholas II was thus beyond the reach of Sturmer’s influence for the time being.  Meanwhile, the Ministers of the Army and Navy had appeared before the Duma and declared themselves to be on the side of the people and their parliament.  On his way to visit the Czar at General Headquarters, Premier Sturmer was met by one of the Czar’s messengers and handed his dismissal from office.  The Duma had won.