Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-03-27
THE RIOTS IN RUSSIA.

The situation in Russia Is, according
to all accounts, one OF turmoil. The agl-
tation among the people seems TO have
assumed the proportions OF revolu-
ton, which has for its ultimate object
the assassination of the czar and the
overthrow Of the government, For 80
widespread are the disturbances, that
they can hardly be considered In any
other light, notwithstanding the ex-
pressed opinion Of the Russian consul
general In this country, that the dis
patches draw exaggerated pictures Of
the situation.
Among the first reports that reached
the outside world from st. Petersburg
was that 500 working men had-adopt-
ing Mrs. Nations methods-demollshe
some brandy booths belonging TO the
government. and engaged In sangun-
airy fight with 500 Cossacks. Then came
another report that the police had dis
covered plot against the life of the
ozar Numerous arrests followed.
Students in several Institutes OF learn
ing made demonstrations, and threat
ening letters were sent 10 the ministers
OF war, justice, and the interior. An
attempt was made to assasslnate the
procurator general Of the holy synod.
The latest advlces tell about the dis
coyery Of mine beneath one Of the
emperor's palaces, Several members Of
the nobility are said to be implicated in
this plot. The police have. in conse-
quence, been instructed to exercise all
possible vigilance and not TO hesitate
to use force, when needed, to dispel
crowds and quell disturbances, but In
spite of all II Is thought that the pres
ent turmoil is but the beginning of
more serious trouble.
What the immediate cause of II all is.
Is not clear The enlightened part OF
The Russian people are always dissatis.
he'd with the autoorato government,
and ready to demonstrate against II.
But 1t Is suggested that the excommu-
nicatlon Of Tolstoi. or rather the official
announcement Of that act, has stirred
up the friends and admirers of
the count TO this agitation.
The fact that one Of the highest eccle.
slastlcal officials was one of the first
objects of wrath lends support to this
view. Acts Of intolerance have before
now In the worlds history, been the
beginning Of mighty revolutions.
There Is little doubt that the present
rising viii be quelled The Russian
government has forces enough at It's
command to maintain It's authority, and
In cases OF this kind there Is no con.
sideration for the rights Of the people
or their possibly just grievances But
many lives may have to be sacrificed
and then, every time an autocratlc gov
eminent apparently secures its position
on the tears blood and tombs of its
subjects, II really undermlnes Itself
History records its acts for future gen.
erations, and when the day OF reckoning
finally comes, these acts will come forth
as oendemnlng evidence against the
system under which they were commit
ted. Russia is now so far advanced IN
civilization that los rulers cannot much
longer ignore, safely, the demands made
for reforms in an absolute government
system. The country is probably not
prepared for full liberty but II certain
~ Is in a position TO haYe some repre-.
sentation In the administration
Of public affairs. II Is for the
car TO take the initiative in this direc-
ton. He would be strenuously opposed
by the aristocracy, but other sovereigns
have found In the people more last
ing support for the throne, and the Rus
sian emperors would have similar ex-
perience, BY dethroning the arlstoc-
racy, the czars themselves would be-
come both stronger and more free than
they now are,