The sun., 1881-01-30
Russia's Predicament.


from Vienna, 1t was admitted that PROPOSE
tions to that end had been made by Russia.
1t is easy to divine the motives that would
prompt the Northern Empire to desire the
renewal OF compact which was regarded
as guarantee of the peace of Europe. The
reigning Car is far from sharing the an
tpathy OF his subjects to the Germans. and
would not, without great reluctance, see
himself drawn into collision with his rela-
tive, Kaiser WILLIAM. Hunted as he has
been for years by implacable enemies, his
dominant wish is to be suffered to pass in
tranquility the remnant OF his days Aside,
however, from tho personal inclluations Of
the sovereign, there are fiscal and econom-
ical reasons Of great weight which impose
on Russian statesmen at this time thrifty
and pacific policy.
When, few months ago, the new Finance
Minister took Office, he undertook with zeal
and vigor the almost hopeless task OF estab-
fishing an equilibrium between income and
expenses; of reconstructing the whole fiscal
system, and uprootlng tho abuses with
which this, like every other part OF the
| Cars Government, is infected. He made,
we are told, in full session OF the imperial
| council, such an exposure Of ugly facts as
mas SeluOlu pCCu WlIucSScu III IHuL DOuS,
and which extorted for the moment from his
auditors an approval of his plans. He pune
tured the sham by which tho last budget
had been made to Show surplus, point
| ing out that irregular allowances, which
depend in theory on the caprice of the Car,
and which amount in the aggregate to vast
sums, never figure in the official estimates.
Ho went on to prove that, rs first step to-
ward financial reorganization and the pre-
vention OF widc-reaching commercial
catastrophe, it was Indispensable to reim-
burse the Russian Imperial Bank for ad-
vances made to the Government. and which
exceed, by tho way, 400,00O,00O roubles. The
Minister did not propose to provide for that
Indictment by nugmcnting direct taxes.
for the people could not bear the slight
est increase OF their burdens. The sole
means OF paying the bank was to
be sought, therefore, in retrenchment. Ac-
cordngly, the military budget was to be
reduced, the civil list to be pared down,
and, above all, measures we're to be taken,
by the detection and punishment Of pecula-
tion, to stop the enormous leakage which
has always intervened in Russia between
the taxpayer and the treasury.
There Is little doubt that the Car in his
|
curtailment OF his personal disbursements,
and it is plain that renewal OF the former
understanding with the German and Haps-
burg Emperors would permit of material
reduction In the outlay for military objects.
These sources Of outgo, however, are insig-
nificant compared with the portentous loss
OF revenue incurred through official corrup-
ton and embezzcmcnt. But there is no
| md 20 hon tl,ntt loo boz Ia
rested by any measures short OF political
revolution which should result in the whole
sale cjectment OF the Russian bureaucracy
from their functions. We NAV expect to see
Finance Minister ABAzA wrecked on the
same obstacle which even LoRIS MELIKoPF,
although invested with virtual dictator
ship, has found insurmountable. When an
autocratic government has reached the state
OF decrepitude In which Russia now is, and
in which France was during tho last days
OF the old regime not even such physicians
as ToURGoT and NECKAR can euro 1t, be-
3 cause it will not take their remedies.
No doubt the Finance Minister could ro-
pay the bank its advances. and perhaps es-
tablish transient equilibrium in the Rus.
sian budget, if he could have recourse to the
usual expedicnt OF autocratic governments
namely, increased taxation. Butt happens
that the difficulties of the fiscal situation
: are complicated with n widespread famine
@ in the agricultural regions, and that tho
@ people far from being able to boar heavier
;, load, arc themselves entailing a now drair
u upon the treasury. The calamitous effects
X resulting from the falling off in last year:
y crops have for some tlmo been constantly
c growing in extent and gravity, and now de
z mand the most strenuous exertions on the
= part OF the Government, II tho people O
large districts are to be saved from deatl
x by hunger The destitution has caused
g fright!ul mortality in tho provinces Of Sara
: ton and Samara, and even the German col
n ontsts on the Volga, who are among tn,
O most thrifty and well-to-do farmers II
: the empire, are suffering from famine. 81
n far, the attempts OF the Russian Covers men
!, to cope with the disaster have proved en-
d trely inadequate The ed'c' r instance
s prohibiting the export of rye ,.I not reaul
;, in cheapening that grain, for it turned ou
z that very little had previously been sent Oh
n OF the country, the principal consumer, Ger
=, many, having been cut Off by BISMARCK
:. new tariff, under which native rye can b,
= sold for less than tho imported Russian
q article. The iutillty OF the restriction upoI
r exports being soon demonstrated, the Gov
ernment resorted to diroct assistance In eX
i tremo cases, approprlat!ng n million o
d houbles to Samura and Saratoff. Even hat
S the whole OF this sum passed unpiferet
Il through the hands OF Russian bureau
: Gratis to the intended beneilciares--ai
:. incredible supposition--it would hav
It proved grotesquely insufficient to remed,
u or even pelliate tho almost universal wan
@ OF food In the districts specified, Tho prOoj
y however, that tho Cars Government whc
3, squanders hundreds OF millions on the cour
d and army, could be shamed into the sem
bance of compassion for n starving popuia
II tlon, called forth loud clnmors for usslBtanc
L. from every district which is suffering lrol
It want Of tho pccc9sGrics Of life. This or