От автора: этот рассказ о русской революции в марте 1917 года основан частично на реальном опыте очевидца, частично на фактах, которые запечатлены или общеизвестны в Петрограде и Москве, и частично на слухах. Я полностью осознаю, что ничем не подкрепленные показания лиц, которых я счел возможным обозначить только по их инициалам, являются слабым фундаментом для исторических построений. Но позволю себе заметить, что такие свидетельства ни в коем случае не используются в качестве фундамента, а только как декоративный завиток фасада. Интересно узнать, что говорили и думали умные и хорошо информированные русские в самую решающую эпоху истории своей страны. Способные люди, которые так быстро приняли эту почти случайную революцию и руководили ею, считали, что ситуация была примерно такой, какой ее изображают эти истории и слухи.

Я включил несколько случаев, которые могут показаться некоторым слишком личными и ненужными, но их цель — показать условия жизни в охваченной войной стране.

PREFACE: This story of the Russian Revolution of March 1917 is based partly on the actual experiences of an eyewitness, partly on facts which stand of record or are common knowledge in Petrograd and Moscow, and partly on hearsay and rumour. I realise fully that information of the latter class,—as, for instance, the unsupported testimony of persons whom I have only felt at liberty to designate by their initials,—is a weak foundation for a historical structure. But I beg leave to point out that such testimony is in no place used as foundation, but only as the ornamental scroll-work of the facade. It is interesting to know what clever and well-informed Russians were saying and thinking in the most crucial epoch of their country’s history. The men of ability who so quickly adopted this almost accidental revolution and guided it, believed the situation to be approximately what these stories and rumours depict.

I have included a few happenings which may appear to some to be too personal and there fore unnecessary, but their purpose is to show the conditions of life in a war-ridden country.

To those Americans in Russia who may be surprised to have their names “called right out in meeting,” without dashes or other subterfuge, I offer apologies, feeling sure that these friends will accept them. The experiences are theirs as much as mine and my highest hope is that they may think I have drawn the picture faithfully.

I owe to the Hon. David R. Francis, American Ambassador to Russia, a debt of gratitude which I gladly acknowledge; also to the Hon. Maddin Summers, American Consul at Moscow; and to the embassy and consulate staffs.

I wish to offer sincere thanks, in this place, to Professor Samuel N. Harper of the University of Chicago for the ground-outline he has given me of Russian institutions, politics and customs, which has enabled me in a greater measure to grasp the significance of what I saw and heard.

James L. Houghteling, Jr.
November 25, 1917.