Excerpt from Through the Russian Revolution In 1917 the social and economic fabric of the land was shot to pieces. Ten million peasants dragged from their ploughs were dying in the trenches. Millions more were perishing of cold and hunger in the cities While the corrupt ministers intrigued with the Germans and the court held bacchanalian revels with the notorious monk, Rasputin. Even the Cadet, Milyukov, was forced to say: History does not know Of another govern ment so stupid, so dishonest, so cowardly, so treacherous. All governments rest Upon the patience Of the poor. It seems everlasting, but there comes an end to it. It came in Russia in March, 1917.