Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-09-06
THE CZAR AS A REFoRMER.

A contributor 70 the Christian Regis
ter says that the Russian emperor has
recently announced his determination
to find out for himself what the causes
are Of the serious trouble In his do
minions. In pursuance OF this object
he has issued invitations to 700 repre-
sentative Russians-unlyerslt profee-
sors, lawyers, capitalists, students la
borers, and even condemned political
oifenders-to see him In private audi
ence, and give him their views as to
the true internal condition of the en-
pire and the possible means Of remedy
Ing the evils that have brought Rus.
STA TO the verge of revolution.
A step Of this kind would be notice
able In any monarchlal country, for
monarchs are not often inclined to con.
suit with their subjects on state ques-
tons except as far as they are bound
to do so, by constitutional law. But Il
Is still more remarkable In Russia.
where the ruler has absolute power.
and where the rule is to refuse 10 hear
even petitions. II means that the Car
Is about 10 break down the strong
walls of the bureaucrcy that surround
tie throne. In order that he may OBJ
tain view of what Is passing outside.
II proves him to be Rom noff in the
strength Of his will, II not In physical
qualities.
Car Nicholas has already caused
some notable reforms In Russian rule.
His first discovery was that Poble-
donostseff, the ober-procurato OF the
holy synod, had established n system OF
religious terrorism for state ends. A
curb was placed upon the activities OF
the Russian Torquemada. Then the car
found out that the political convict sys-
TEN was disgrace to Russia; and the
discovery was followed by radical ad.
ministratiye reforms, eliminating In the
complete adjustment Of that system OF
political exile that had appalled, the
civilized world.
But these reforms did not result in
contentment among the people. Last
year commenced series OF riots OF the
students, which grew in proportions
until they involved the bulk OF the pop
ulation in half the districts In the en-
pire. The mini ter OF war and NJ the
gendarmerie put down the disturbances
with heavy hand. But It appeared TO
Nicholas II that the minister Of cdu~l-
tlon and OF public Worship had been
carrying things with too high hand
and that he had treated Intellectual in
dependence and cooperation among
the students as prima facie evidences OF
rebelllous intentions. The minister was
deposed by personal order " the czar
and man OF broader and more gen
erous type put in his place,
But the emperor is not yet satisfied
He has perceived that the riots are but
symptoms OF a diseased condition, and
he has determined TO probe the matter
thoroughly. His immediate surround
ings are horror.stricken at the idea Of
the Gear consulting with the people,
because they see in this the first step
toward popular government But he
has refused TO change the course he
has laid out. And so the invitations
were sent out. Russians Of various
classes win appear IN the imperial PAL
ace. utter their complaints. and sug-
gest remedies II is not impossible
that this viii mark the opening Of a
new political era foi the Russian EN-
pire--an era that Is foreshadowed dim
ly by the universal spirit OF restless
speculation and demand for better
things that aslmatcs the growing mass
Of educated and patriotic Russians
II the Car is wise, he win study. in
this connection. the situation OF Fin.
land There he met with on his &C.
ccsslon 10 the throne, a happy. con-
tented. loyal people. He found a place
in his extensive realm. where in
dustry ;lourlshed and crimes were
rare exception. lie found
an enlightened people, devoted to him
and to their country Brt q grsa, |
charge has come over Finland IT. |
people arc dissailaed Thousands hay,
left for other counties. Its Young |
men refuge 10 enie. the army, and a
spirit Of seition-from Russian point
of yiew-has taken nossession Of the |