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However much the reactionaries of the Katkov School may distrust the principles of 1789, it is under the French banner, it is in the name of the immortal principles of 1789, which were also the guiding principles of the American Revolution, that civilization is taking up arms against Prussianism and Pan-Germanism. After the war those principles adapted to Russian conditions will triumph in the internal policy of the Russian Empire as they are guiding its foreign policy. It would indeed be the most tragic paradox of all human history if millions of Russian patriots had laid down their lives to conquer freedom for their Slav brethren only to be themselves denied freedom at home, and if the Russian Government were fighting for the liberty of the Balkan nationalities only to repress the legitimate aspirations of the nationalities gathered under the Russian flag.