Russian local government during the war and the Union of Zemstvos

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 1794855874

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-179223

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Polner, Tichon I. http://d-nb.info/gnd/172311195

Title:: Russian local government during the war and the Union of Zemstvos

Place of publication:: New Haven

Publisher:: Yale Univ. Press

Year of publication:: 1930

Scope:: XXV, 317 S.

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

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Chapter

Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Chapter XVI. Conclusion

Collection:: Economics Books

304 THE ZEMSTVOS DURING THE WAR stvo conferences. These measures merely aggravated the difficulties, with the result that at the end of 1916 the Government and the pub- lic formed two hostile camps and a clash seemed inevitable. In the meantime, as a result of two and a half years of exhaust- ing warfare, the sentiments of the public had completely changed. After the first wave of enthusiasm had passed, it became evident that the country would have to face months and possibly even years of unprecedented trials. The enormous losses sustained by the army, the glaring unpreparedness for war, a series of crushing defeats on the battlefield—all this could not but create widespread depression and discouragement. Within the country a complete paralysis was already threatening the principal branches of economic life, and there was no hope that the Government would be able to stem the rising tide of chaos and anarchy. Under these circumstances the general process of disintegration was bound also to affect the Zemstvo Union. The work of this Union had been started by a comparatively small group of men. Every- thing had been organized on the principles that were traditional in the zemstvo work. The representatives of the Zemstvo Union en- joyed the full confidence of the Central Committee that had ap- pointed them, and, as has been explained, they were at first practi- cally unhampered by any rules or regulations. Inspired by eagerness to serve the needs of the army, they endeavored to pass on this enthu- siasm to their collaborators and subordinates and to create an atmos- phere of cheerful and unfettered activity. At first, no doubt, suffi- cient experience, technical knowledge, and general ability were in some cases lacking; but this deficiency was more than compensated by enthusiasm, youth, energy, and bold initiative. In course of time it was inevitable that weariness should begin to make itself felt and that enthusiasm should gradually cool off. We must also remember that the character of the work itself and the conditions under which it had to be carried on underwent constant and considerable changes, and that the number of workers on the rolls of the Union increased with amazing rapidity. According to the official report of the Gen- eral Staff submitted to the Provisional Government, the total num- ber of employees of the Union of Zemstvos on April 1, 1917, was about 170,000.* We have had no opportunity of verifying this fig- t Trudi (Report) of the Commission for the Investigation of the Effects on Public Health of the War of 1914-1920, Moscow, 1923, p. 211.

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