RUSSIA
One of the most powerful countries, including all northern Asia as well as eastern Europe. It is an absolute monarchy, ruled by the Czar Nicholas II at Petrograd (St. Petersburg). He came to the throne in 1894.
The population is mostly Slavic, and the racial sympathy is therefore with the Balkan peoples. Russia, like Austria and Germany, would like a port on the Mediterranean, as she now has access to the Atlantic only through the Baltic Sea and the Dardanelles (between the Black Sea and the Ægean).
Sixty years ago Russia attacked Turkey, menacing Great Britain's route to her Oriental possessions. These two powers combined with France and repulsed Russia in the Crimean War. Since the time of Peter the Great the Russians have had their eyes on Constantinople, and as long as they cannot have it will try to prevent Germany or Austria from getting it.
Seven-eighths of the peasants are farmers, and two-thirds of the land is sown to cereals.