Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-25
Said to Have Written the Russian
Liberal Manifesto.
BUREAUCRACY THE CZAR'S MSTIGAfOR
He Has Killed His Own Popu-
Iarity.
THE IMPENDING STRUGGLE

BERLIN, February 25.-A telegram from
ST. Petersburg received here says that it is
reported there that Count Tolstoi. the noted
Russian novelist and social reformer, is the
author of the liberal manifesto recently is
sued against the cars declaration that he
would uphold autocracy as ardently as his
late father.
Private dispatches received in Berlin on
January 20 gave an outline of speech
made by the car in reply to the addresses
of delegations representing the nobility of
the principal cities and many provincial
assemblies who called upon his majesty in
order to congratulate him upon his mar
riage. The car said he had learned that
in some of the provincial assemblies voices
had been raised proposing that these bodies
should have a share in the settlement OF
AFFAIRS OF state and expressing otner ''ab-
stird IDEAS His majesty ADDED that ne
vished everybody to understand that wfiie
he devoted all his powers to has dear couIi-
try, he was as ar0entiy resolved as was
his dear father to uphold the autocracy oil
the car.
This remark attracted widespread atten-
ton throughout Russia, ana incidentally
throughout the world 10 the majority OF
people the cZa,r'S utterance Was d surprise
he had been credited with possessing
liberal ideas, which might in time, ii was
hoped, induce him TO inau2urate reforms
III Tie SoNtIhUiSIl VI Out LIS
declaration of mis- intention to uphold the
autocracy of ne car seemed to put an end
TO all such hopes; and on February II the
Daily Chronicle of London printed mani
festo issued oy the peoples rights party OF
Russia in the form of letter to the car.
which was then being circulated through
out the Russian empire.
After censuring the czar for his asser-
ton of absolutism. the letter read: THE
most advanced ZemStvoS asked only for
the harmony of car and people, free
speech and the supremacy of law over the
arbitrarinesS of the executive. You were
deceived and frightened by the representa-
tons CT cOurtIerS and bureaucrats. So
Getty will understand perfectly that it was
the bureaucracy which jeaiOuSly guards
it's own omnipoterce that spoke through
you. The bureaucracy, beginning with the
council of ministers and ending with the
lowest country constables, hates any de-
velopment, social or individual, and ac-
lively prevents the monarch'S free inter-
course with the representatives of his peo-
pie, except as they come in gala dress, pre-
sentinS congratulations and offerings.
Your speech proves that any attempt to
speak out before the throne. even in the
most loyal form, about the prime needs of
the country meets only a rough and alb
rrpt rebuff. Society expected from you
encouragement and help. but heard only a
reminder OF your omnipotence, giving the
impression of utter estranSement of car
from people. You, yourself, have killed
your own popularity, and have alenated
an tHstl part Ol society WnlcH Is peacefully
forward. Some individuals are
jubilant over your speech, but you will
soon discover their impotence. In another
section of society your speech caused Il
feeling of injury and depression, which,
however. the best social forces soon will
overcome, before proceeding to the peace
full but obstinate and deliberate struggle
necessary to liberty. In another section
you words Will stimulate the readiness to
struggle against the present hateful state
of things with any means. You were the
first to begin the struggle. Ere long it
will proceed"