Mikhail
Rodzianko, the son
of a wealthy landowner, was born in Ekaterinoslav, on 9th March, 1859.
A senior army officer, Rodzianko became involved in politics and favoured
an extension of democracy in Russia.
Rodzianko
was elected to the third Duma and in March,
1911, became its leader. He was a loyal supporter of Nicholas
II but was willing to criticize failings in his administration.
He strongly disapproved of Gregory Rasputin
and during the First World War told the Tsar
that he believed him to be a German spy.
In 1916
Rodzianko tried to persuade Nicholas II
to introduce reforms and to appoint a Duma
government. In February, 1917, he sent a series of telegrams explaining
the dangers of revolution. He supported the Provisional Government
but disapproved of Alexander Kerensky
and encouraged Lavr Kornilov to march
on Petrograd in August, 1917.
After the
October Revolution Rodzianko emigrated
to Yugoslavia. Mikhail Rodzianko died on 24th January, 1924.
(1)
Michael Rodzianko, the President of the Duma,
later wrote about the role of Rasputin during the First
World War in his book, The Fall of the Empire.
Profiting by the Tsar's arrival at Tsarskoe I asked
for an audience and was received by him on March 8th. "I must
tell Your Majesty that this cannot continue much longer. No one opens
your eyes to the true role which this man (Rasputin) is playing. His
presence in Your Majesty's Court undermines confidence in the Supreme
Power and may have an evil effect on the fate of the dynasty and turn
the hearts of the people from their Emperor". My report did some
good. On March 11th an order was issued sending Rasputin to Tobolsk;
but a few days later, at the demand of the Empress, the order was
cancelled.
(2)
On 15th March, 1917, Alfred Knox visited
Mikhail Rodzianko, the President of the Duma.
I saw Rodzianko
for a moment and told him that I was frightened that things were taking
a turn that might endanger the continuance of the war. He said: "My
dear Knox, you must be easy. Everything is going on all right. Russia
is a big country, and can wage a war and manage a revolution at the
same time." It was, however, precisely because Russia was a big
- and unwieldy - country that the situation was dangerous. In Petrograd
there were some 219,000 factory hands and some 150,000 mutinous troops,
and these constituted inflammable material that was internationalists
were working day and night to ignite. Leaflets were distributed advocating
the murder of officers. The outlook was black.
(3) Michael
Rodzianko, President of the Duma, telegram
to Nicholas II (26th February, 1917)
The situation
is serious. The capital is in a state of anarchy. The government is
paralyzed; the transport service has broken down; the food and fuel
supplies are completely disorganized. Discontent is general and on
the increase. There is wild shooting in the streets; troops are firing
at each other. It is urgent that someone enjoying the confidence of
the country be entrusted with the formation of a new government. There
must be no delay. Hesitation is fatal.
(4)
Michael Rodzianko, President of the Duma, telegram
to Nicholas II (27th February, 1917)
The situation
is growing worse. Measures should be taken immediately as tomorrow
will be too late. The last hour has struck, when the fate of the country
and dynasty is being decided.
The government
is powerless to stop the disorders. The troops of the garrison cannot
be relied upon. The reserve battalions of the Guard regiments are
in the grips of rebellion, their officers are being killed. Having
joined the mobs and the revolt of the people, they are marching on
the offices of the Ministry of the Interior and the Imperial Duma.
Your Majesty,
do not delay. Should the agitation reach the Army, Germany will triumph
and the destruction of Russian along with the dynasty is inevitable.
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