, 1880-01-14
THE GEAR AND HIS SON.

notwithstanding the fact that the existence
of differences between the Car and the
Czarewitch has been often repeated and
denied, statements of this kind have for
several months past been too frequently
and too authoritatively made to be dis
credited or passed over. They now form
the subject of a letter from st. Petersburg,
which is published in the Vienna news
papers. Whether the statesments are ex-
aggerated or not, the letter we'll represents
the nature of the present Nihilistic
intrigues at st. Petersburg. The follow
ing extroct deserves attention 3
"On the 9th instant the Gar informed
the ,Czarewitch that during his reign not a
single constitutional experiment ought to
be made. The1 Czarewitch somewhat
excitedly gave a rather hasty reply, to the
effect that the Gar had no right to COM
promise the future of the dynasty. The
arrest of the Czarewitch was only preven-
ted by q telegram from the Empress. The
differences, however, between the father
and son are 80 great that serious conse-
quenoes are apprehendec, the more SO as
the Czarewitch is supported by a strong
party. composed of several Ministers, two
thirds of the administrative Senate, and
many eminent Generals, all of whom
demand the introduction OF reforms. More
over, the Senate will shortly submit 10 the
Gar a petition most respectfully but
firmly, asking him to bestow on the people
certain rights and liberties, thus making
the people the guardian of the Empires
z greatness. The Generals have also report.
ed that more than q fourth OF the officers
10 the Army were infected by reform aspi-
%rationa. Should the Gar really persist in
making ieprisals the worst may be feared,
namely, o military p,onunciamiemo."
The cohfict between the Car and the
Czarewitch, that is to say, between auto
cratic and constitutional principles, cannot,
according to the letter. be greatly pro-
longed, it being already at its height. I
have good reason to believe that the letter
fully reflects the views of the Russian
reiormers, generally called Nihilists, but
it nevertheless contains some unquestion-
able truths. / have full confirmation from
the best sources of the statement that the
desire for reform is shared not only by one
fourth Of the Russian officers, but by near
Iy all Of them, as we'll as by ell the soldiers
who fought in the last Turkish campaign.
The official reports from St. Petersburg
continue to describe theshighest society as
still being under the influence of the latest
attempt 90 the life of the Gar, and this
impression will not easily be overcome.
The Paris Correspondent on the same
date adds that the statement published ia
the Vienna papers that fresh differences
have arisen between the Gear and the
Czarewitch hos not as yet produced much
impression here outside political circles.
1t is no secret that o conflict of opinion
between the Gar and the Heir to the
Throne has long existed, not only on
the subject Of internal reforms, but
also in reference to the foreign policy
Of the Empire. The Czarewitch has never
regarded with favour the close alliance
with Germany maintained by Prince
Gortschakotf, and since his marriage his
feeling OF dislike towards Germany has
been intensified. 1t would seem, however,
that the present quarrel has its origin in
the determination of the Car not to carry
out the project of Constitutional reform,
which it was expected would be initiated
on the return of the Court to St. Peters
burg. The Moscow plot. whether genuine,
or a clever Police maneuyre, appears to
have had an. irritating Influence on the
Car, and to have rendered him deaf to all
appeals for liberal concessions or extern
sions of liberty.
1t would not be SURPRISING If the renort