New-York tribune., 1901-04-21
THE CZAR'S GOODWILL.
PLAN TO REMOVE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
OF RUSSIAN STUDENTS.
ST. Petersburg. April 8.


semenovitch vannorsky, to the responsible and
possibly dangerous post OF Minister Of Education
is the best proof that the Car does not share the
apparent belief OF the political police that univer
sity students invariably revoutonists in dis
guise and that the way to reform higher educa-
ton IL to abolish higher educational institutions
or to turn them into military barracks. This ap-
po!ntment has been talked of. 1t was known
that the Czar taking General Vannoffsky's ad-
vice in the matter of student discomfort but Il was
scarcely believed the aged soldier would receive a
call to the ranks He is seventy-nine wears
old That he was called upon to put on harness
again is the best proof OF the scarcity of able
men In Russian public life. General Vannoffskv
was commissioned to investigate and report unon
the student troubles of two three years ago
He made number of wise recommendations them
wmch possibly through the influence OF the late
4niiiiSter Oh Education, NJ. Bogoliepoff, came to
haught. General Vannoffsky's secret report on the
troubles OF 1899 was printed in Berlin I'm Russian
ana ne mas generally been recognized since then
as a decided opponent of the police rule of NJ
oogohepoH and NJ. Sipiaguine. In this connection
Notable example may be given of the way in
which the imperial goodwill can and is sometimes
turned into the opposite by those intrusted with
me responsibility of carrying the designs of his
majesty.
CAUSE OF STUDENT AGITATION.
AS has been stated in dispatches II has been
Professionally decided enforce for the present
lle temporary regulations against student disorders
These regulations order the enrolment of turbulent
students In the army The whole agitation of the
present school year centred around these regula-
lions. The demand for their abrogation was the
cardinal cause of the outbreak of disorders in so
many higher schools, though lesser grievances
often pun forward for tactical reasons They are in
fact, regarded by the students as an unheard of
punishment for often trifng breaches of university
discipline and barbaric display of contempt for
their aspirations.
On the other hand, the army officers feel that the
enrolment OF students into the army as an act or
punishment is dishonor to the army which Is. in
fact turned into penal institution. Matters
made worse from the fact that students dis
tributed in many regiments. instead of being
fined 10 the avowedly penal regiments.
A PROOF OF THE CZAR's GOODWILL.
1t may be surprise to people learn that
these much contested military regulations in
tended by the Czar proof of his goodwill
a young ruler toward his young though some
times disorderly subjects. At the time of the last
great trouble he was confronted with the prospect
of many brilliant young OF excellent families
being into prison feons for youthful folies
He knew this meant the absolute ruin of the future
of every them and the blasting of the happ-
of hundreds of homes. On the other hand, II
felt that eniency would allow revolutionary
doctrines TO gain firm foothold in the universities
The guilty must be weeded out. the erring re-
claimed
His majesty and his advisers bethought them of
that other great educational institution. the army
and it was decided to place those who appeared
TO be leading the disturbances in the army for
various periods. There they would learn discipline
and would. If composed of the proper ingredients
of manhood, to civil life sobered and fitted
to up the burden OF life. The Car insisted
that such enforced military services should have
unfavorabe effect upon the future prospects of
the disciplined young men; in other words, that no
record should be made that the service was dis
ciplinary; that all previous scores should be re-
garded squared by honorable bearing of arms.
that discrimination should be made in ap-
pointment to public positions against the student
soldiers who, it was expressly stated, to be
allowed upon their release to re-enter any uni
versity
The Importance OF this scarcely be appre-
ciated in countries where citizens do not lead
double life they do here-a physical and
paper life-the latter life described in docu-
ments that must be presented on every occasion
and which register every stigma and every fault
The Cars design to run a wet sponge over
youthful misdemeanors.
MINISTER OF EDUCATION AT FAULT.
1t happened. however that NJ Bogoliepor
Minister of Education. and NJ. Bogoliepoff was a
proud. unreasonable. stubborn man. His appoint
ment regarded by friends of the universities
a calamity. and their representations were un
happily fully realized He had distinguished himself
for harshness while Curator of the Moscow Educa-
tional District and cordially hated by all
students before his appointment Himself the child
. of humble parents, he had sympathy with poor
termined not to bend to student opposition, and the
Cars gracious intention failed Minister Bogoliepoff
whose duty 1t was to execute the plan and to place
1T in its proper light before the academic world,
represented 1t penal measure. The students
were made to understand they would be sent to
would have menial tasks to perform. The poss-
oath was considered and they were threatened
with court-martial If they did refuse.
1t was not generally known until the ministry
regulations that the enforced military service did
Bogoepo wanted il to Be regarded as dssraee
Minister B@ogoliepoff Bog is dead It may seem harsh
life regretted his death and hundreds have been
one who condemned it.
NOT PLOTTING AGAINST THE CzAR
In spite of the perversion the Cars intentions
the students do not appear to have ever regarded
him as responsible for their grievances 1t is under
stood that delegation of them was recently re-
celved by him at Tsarskoe Seo where he now resides
know many students who tell me they have never
heard an unkind word spoken of the Gar Nor
would 1T be fair to regard this result Of fear
for the students are accustomed to talk .,no,a
themselves pretty freely
For this reason many do not believe the students
have been plotting against the life of the Car
nor does he seem to entertain this fear as he
comes to the city frequently to transact puhjc
business or TO attend public concerts ~
HIS ma1esty.s words WILL 1t is thought be ap-
preciated by the overwhelming majority of the stp
nen.S er me energy and capacity of General Van
ganization the universities in the interes fe4r
students will result. ~ " ''e
SKETCH OF GENERAL VANNOFFsKY
General Vannoffsky was born in Kiefr I'm Novem
ber 1872. and is in his sixty-frs year of military
service. He the faithful servant and adviser
Of three Emperors before his present master es
cended the throne. He was educated as soldier
In the Muscow Cadet Corps and entered q Eir,t
regiment when eighteen years old For ya,o e.