CHAPTER XVII

THE DRAMA OF FREEDOM

The struggle between Freedom and Oppression--The early hopes--The Government’s uncertainty--The plot to overthrow Freedom--Its apparent success--The new loan secured--Difficulty of realizing the actual truth beneath abstractions--Persistence of the revolution--Summary of events--Finance and the elections--Execution of Lieutenant Schmidt--Victory of the Constitutional Democrats--Germany refuses to share in the loans, but France and England subscribe largely--Resignation of Count Witte--Reported death of Father Gapon--Attempt to assassinate Admiral Dubasoff--Assassination of General Jeoltanowski--Fundamental Law--New Ministers--Preparing for the Duma 301