ABSTRACT
When I heard about Stolypin’s appointment, while I was abroad, I was pleased by the news because, according to those acquainted with him, he held liberal opinions and was a man of strong character and an iron will, but not possessed of great ability. Had he had the mind, the education, and the experience to match his strong character he might have turned out to be a statesman, and whatever mistakes he might have made would have been forgiven him and he would still have held on to the reputation of a statesman. 1
