The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-04-08
to involve any risk whatever that it will,
not be speedily made applicable to the
entire state.
NICHOLAS. A REAcT1oNARy.

NICHOLAS, A REACTIONARY.
Tt is not possible to the American mind
to compass the considerations which will
lead the head of nation TO identify him
self with the broadcast and most humane
view of international relations, and at
the same time maintain in the heart of
his own empire a social and political
state which is little short of naked des-
present emperor of Russia occupies at
the present moment. He had given the
highest promise of striking out on new
lines, and leaving the traditions and his
torical associations of the Russian czars
wholly behind him. Before he had more
than fully identified himself with such
possibilities. his rule is found to be
merely reproduction of the reactionary
policies Of his father and grandfather.
The student disturbances at Kief have
succeeded in taking the mask from Rus
the emperor and his advisers toward
these young men proves to be worthy of
the worst days of his two predecessors.
Doubtless he, as well as his grandfather,
if not his father. is very sensible and
well-meaning man, of large human SYM
pathfes He is modern young man at
how other nations are ruled. He under
stands the spirit of the age in which he
lives. He has shown himself personally
Or through his advisers, to be far
sighted statesman, anxious to call into
existence conditions which would in time
dispense with armed international strife.
empire have been united by the steel rails
of a great commercial highway. In diff
ferent ways and with all the uniformity
Of his predecessors on the throne of Rus
STA since the days of Peter, he has shown
his friendliness for the United States.
Why, in view of these facts, Goes he
absolutism on the PROSTATE forms Of his
people? Why feel himself at liberty to
ride down all semblance Of law and re-
sponsibility by ordering these young
men to join the army when they are
expressly exempted from that service?
The answer to these questions cannot be
even understood by Americans or any
other people which is used to seeing their
rulers acting under well-defined limita-
lions of their powers.
A few days ago it was announced in the
public press that young Nicholas Of Rus
STA lad banished Count Tolstol from his
dominions. The report appears to have
heen untrue. But it was a report which
found general credence or account Of the
mad proceedings with which the imperial
authority had been identified for some
weeks before. Two high public function
aries are fired at, one Of them killed
Whereupon those in authority seem de-
termined to make the whole Russian peo-
pie bear the evil consequences of TIE
deed The state church Of Russia, which
is little more than a rart Of the huge
machine of absolutism which moves at
the beck Of the young emperor, issued
it's order Of accommodation against the
great man whom we are told had been
banished. At once thousands Of students
IN the hey-day of their youthful en-
thusiasm and devotion ask that they too
be communicated. This circumstance
| seems to add to the frenzy of the imperial
authorities; and the sequel promises to
be what it YVES preceding and following
the death Of this young mans grand
father
This Is not government in the modern
sense. 1t is mere despotism; and the ma
tons of Europe might not seek far before
finding a sufficient justification, in the
name Of humanity, to interfere against
such depraved deeds. It would indeed be
a graceful act if Nicholas of Russia be-
fore he proceeds further in his present
| course towards his people would disown
the proclamation which called into exist
ence the international peace conference
| at The Hague.