2 May 1917. Maurice Paleologue

Non-fiction

Project 1917 is a series of events that took place a hundred years ago as described by those involved. It is composed only of diaries, letters, memoirs, newspapers and other documents

Maurice Paleologue

10, Kutuzova embankment, Petrograd, Russian Empire

A "concert-meeting" took place at the Michael Theatre this evening: the proceeds are earmarked for the assistance of former political prisoners. Several ministers were present and Miliukov and Kerensky were down to speak. I accompanied Albert Thomas in the great front box which used to be the imperial box.

After a symphonic prelude of Tchaikovsky, Miliukov made a speech, a speech glowing with patriotism and energy. It was received with approving cheers from the gallery to the stalls.

After him Kousnietzova appeared on the stage. Shrouded in her tragic beauty, she sang the great air from Tosca in her voluptuous and moving voice. The applause was vociferous.

But even before the audience had calmed down, a hirsute, sinister and fierce-eyed figure rose from a box and yelled out angrily:

"I want to speak against the war, and in favour of peace!"

Uproar. Shouts from all sides:

"Who are you? Where have you come from? What were you doing before the revolution?"

The man hesitated in answering. Then he suddenly folded his arms and thundered out as if in defiance of his audience:

"I've come from Siberia; I was in prison!"

"Oh! Were you a political prisoner?"

"No, I was an ordinary criminal; but I had my conscience on my side!"

This answer, fully worthy of Dostoïevski, aroused a tempest of cheers:

"Hurrah! Hurrah! Speak! Speak!"

He jumped out of the box. He was seized, raised aloft and carried to the stage over the heads of those sitting in the stalls.

Albert Thomas, sitting next to me, was in the seventh heaven of delight. His face beaming, he snatched my hand and whispered:

"It's absolutely glorious! Wonderfully beautiful!"

The convict began by reading letters he had received from the front to the effect that all the Germans ask is to fraternize with their Russian comrades. He developed his theme, but expressed himself awkwardly and groped for his words. The audience was bored and became noisy.

At that moment Kerensky turned up. He was received with cheers and asked to speak at once.

The convict, whom everyone had forgotten, protested vigorously. A few hearty blows convinced him that his presence on the stage was superfluous. He shook his fist and vanished into the wings.

But before Kerensky began his speech, a tenor appeared and sang some of Glazounov's popular airs. As he had a delightful voice and his diction was excellent, the audience, which was now feeling sentimental again, had him back for three more songs.

At length Kerensky occupied the stage; he was even paler than usual and seemed utterly worn out. In a few words he knocked the convict's argument to pieces. But as if another train of thought had passed through his mind, he suddenly gave utterance to the following odd conclusion:

"If you will not believe in me and follow me, I shall give up power. I will never use force to secure the acceptance of my opinions . . . . When a country means to cast itself into the gulf, no human power can prevent it and those who conduct its government have only one course open to them---to retire."

As he was coming down from the stage with a tired and dispirited air, I turned his strange theory over in my mind and felt like replying: "When a country means to cast itself into the gulf, the duty of its rulers is not to retire but to place themselves in its path even at the risk of their lives."

There was another orchestral item and at length came the turn of Albert Thomas to speak. In a short and vehement speech, he greeted the proletariat of Russia and boasted of the patriotism of the French socialists; he again proclaimed the necessity of victory, in the very interest of the future of society, and so forth.

At least nine-tenths of the audience did not understand him. But his voice was so sonorous, his eyes flashed forth such fire, and his gestures were so superb that a torrent of frantic and approving cheers greeted the conclusion of his speech.

, and others

Comment

✍ Also today

Ivan Bunin

26, Povarskaya street, Moscow, Russian Empire

Just got back from Petrograd. Tomorrow will try to find out if it is somewhat possible to get to Odessa in a civilized way.

, and others

Comment

Alexander Zamaraev

Totma, Vologodskaya guberniya, Russian Empire

The new government has so much work to do, it’s horrific. You need to travel to the front, to the factories, to teach, to explain. The old regime left it poor heritage.

, and others

3 Like

Comment

Leon Bakst

Naples, Italy

It is so peaceful and quiet here, despite the war; the sea is blue, and deep, warm, waves of the wind blur Capri in front of my windows…

, and others

2 Like

Comment

Alexandra Kollontai

Shchepkina-Kupernik apt., Kirochnaya st. Petrograd, Russian Empire

Usually I either travel on foot or by tram. Sometimes you get a seat on the tram and around you there is the usual, heated argument: should we continue the war? What will the offensive give us? Bourgeois public trashes and berates the Bolsheviks. Soldiers and workers defend us and the Soviets. They argue heatedly, to the point of fighting. And I also get my own from the bourgeoisie. My name is hated by many. See more

, and others

4 Like

Comment

Anatoliy Lunacharskiy

Geneva, Switzerland

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Milyukov is an eminent imperialist and a supporter of war “until the victorious end.” Among the generals you cannot rely on anyone.

, and others

Comment

Nicholas II

Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

The weather was the same as yesterday but a little warmer. From 12 o'clock until dinner I sat with Alexis and gave him a history lesson. During the day I took a walk with him and Tatiana. For the first time all the family ate at the same table. Olga and Marie were the last ones to get better.

, and others

Comment

1 May

Diaghilev on the red flag

Diary of the Russian peasant: "Today the workers are celebrating their holiday"

Italian border guards refuse to consider Picasso's portrait as a painting

Nightmare before Christmas

Death of Rasputin. Murder conspiracy and its consequences

Map of the Royal dynasties of Europe

Romanovs dangerous liaisons

in Petrograd

in Moscow