118 исторических миниатюр и 108 авторских текстов на 13 иностранных языках. Сборник

Залесский Владимир Владимирович

Thus, the State Duma ceased to be the spokesperson for popular desires, but only expressed the desires of strong and rich, desires, made in such a way as not to incur a stern look from the top.

This coup completely violated the basic state laws promulgated in my ministry, after October 17, 1905.

To the group of listeners who surrounded S.Yu. Witte, came (ex) Prime Minister Vladimir Nikolayevich Kokovtsov (who became Prime Minister after P. A. Stolypin):

– I, as an honest man, passionately fond of my Motherland and my Sovereign, I will say: you can be calm for the fate of the country and the dynasty, as long as the finances and the army are in order. Finances are good. But the army is not in order. army is not arranged and is badly managed. Military Minister Sukhomlinov is not respected by any of the prominent military: some are mocked at him, others despise him, and with such a military leader to prepare the army for a victorious battle - it is impossible.

God forbid that I should be mistaken, but I have fear for the future, and I see terrible signs in it. I hope that the Emperor of Russia and the Heir will be saved by God.

S.Yu. Witte, as if agreeing, bowed his head.

Someone from the public commented: "With an influential, capable Duma, - as it was supposed on October 17, 1905, - there would not be Sukhomlinov a military minister."

V.N. Kokovtsov continued:

– When the "honeymoon" of my premiership passed and the clouds were already gathering over my head, my liquidation (like the premiere) was nearing its culmination, I in one of the conversations with the Comrade of the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Commander of the Gendarmes Corps received in response: "I have nothing I dispose of and decisively do not know who and how he gets access to the places of residence of the Royal Family. " I have only to add to him (the Commander of the Gendarmerie Corps): "So close to Bagrov."

S.Yu. Witte looked at V.N. Kokovtsov with understanding eyes.

The student who appeared in the ranks of the public suddenly announced:

– There is virtually no autocracy!

The public cautiously moved away from the student.

– This was clearly expressed by Leo Tolstoy in his work "Meaningless Dreams"!
– Continued the student. And he quoted the words of Leo Tolstoy:

"It is believed and is supposed that the Tsar governs the affairs of the state, but this is only considered and is supposed: one Tsar can not rule the affairs of the state, because these matters are too complicated ... he can not rule affairs because It is absolutely impossible for one person. To really rule: ministers, members of different councils, directors and all kinds of bosses ... In Russia today, ten thousand daily decisions are needed to govern the state. "Who is to deliver these decisions?" .

– The question is how to legally formalize the ALREADY-EXISTENT disappearance of the autocracy, - the student explained.
– Instead, they retain the sign "autocracy" and the corresponding legal arbitrariness, organizational confusion, business confusion. Top often endows with power ineffective people. "Denounced" the October 17, 1905. Willy-nilly, Tsar gradually transfer power to the hands of the government and the bureaucracy. And to preserve the signs "autocracy" Tsar changing-shuffle premiers and ministers.

– The government is active!
– V.N. Kokovtsov noted.
– In ten years from 1904 to 1914, Russia showed a remarkable economic flowering.

The calming of the country in 1907, the strengthening of the circulation of money, the broad development of credit, the accumulation and flow of free capital and, at the same time, the increasing peasant demand - all these phenomena led to a remarkable revival of Russian industry in the decade.

The Russian peasantry grew stronger, and the stability of crops and the productivity of crops increased. The foundation for the healthy and rational development of all the country's productive forces was built, strengthened and expanded.

The revival of Russian industry in the epoch described was, therefore, a normal phenomenon, rooted in the entire economic and state life of the country and a solid foundation on which it (without the Bolshevik catastrophe) could continue its rapid and powerful development with a parallel increase in the people's welfare.

The public greeted the words of Vladimir Nikolayevich Kokovtsov with amicable applause and with a general approving hum. Someone from the public even cried out (not entirely appropriate): "Hurray Witte! Ura Kokovtsov!". Again applause.

– Sharp growth in the production of cotton yarn, white sugar, cigarettes, hard coal, cast iron! The progress of the railway network! Sumptuously! The student agreed.
– This, of course, is not the creation of the aircraft and space industries ... But, after all, - without blood, without mass deaths, without social cataclysms.

But is it a prosperous government headed by V.N. Kokovtsov, is he, an effective, moderate, highly professional prime workaholic and - "part-time" - finance minister, given the opportunity to work long and smoothly?

– It's strange, - the two gentlemen exchanged opinions.
– They criticize Emperor Nicholas II ... But who appointed Witte? Who appointed Kokovtsov? At whom was the economic boom of 1904-1914?

– The glitter of Witte and Kokovtsov "embarrassed", - the interlocutor replied vaguely, - and this shine was relatively short. Witte and Kokovtsev were replaced ... New people replaced them ... New events changed the economic flowering ...

– And do you think that the arrival of new people and events gives grounds for criticizing Emperor Nicholas II?

The interlocutor was silent. Uncertainly shrugged his shoulders.

Among the public was an unusual person - a village peasant in a shirt for release, trousers and boots, but with a guard. The employee sympathetically asked the Siberian peasant why he was thoughtful. The answer was: "I can not decide whether to convoke the Duma or not to convoke?".

– Why is Russia dissatisfied with me, because by August of 1914, by the beginning of the world war, I had put out four and a half million troops? I was at the head of the military department and everything was all right, - said the military minister Sukhomlinov.