The sun., 1904-12-28
CZAR'S DECREE NOT POPULAR
BELIEF THAT 1T WILL PROVE
A DEAD LETTER.
without Change in the Present Council
Of Ministers the Seekers for Real
Reform Have Little HOpe-Agitauen
for Popular Representation TO Go On.
SPECIAL Gable Dsspaiests TO THE SUN.

SPECIAL Gable Dtspaiehts 10 THE Sun.
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. T.-The popular
view OF the imperial declarations Is that
one nullifies the concessions OF the other.
Reform leaders observe that the only salts
factory beginning would be revision OF
the composition OF the Council Of Ministers.
The decree does not offer an elective,
progressive element entrance to the council,
and In the hands Of the existing council the
decree will probably remain dead letter.
II nominally put into practice 1t will be
interpreted in whatever manner the council
determines the vague phraseology and the
conditions with which 1t Is hedged around
rendering almost any construction possible.
The reception of the ukase is nowhere
enthusiastic except in the case OF certain
newspapers, especially the Nopoe Vremyd
and the Noposh. How far their views are
dominated by the censor can only be con-
jeotured. II the reception Of the ukase is cold
the attitude Of many reformers toward the
declaration Of the Government concern
ing the zemstvos can be described as one
of redhot indignation. 1t is denounced
as deliberately provocative. as tending
to embitter the population and to drive
will inevitably result in an outbreak OF
nihilism.
The Society Of Decembrists, in which
military families are prominent, held its
annual reunion here to commemorate the
demands of Dec. IL, 1925. The speeches
made at the meeting gave evidence OF
continuation Of the agitation for a repre-
sentative element In the Government.
The zemstvo of the government Of Mos
cow opened on Monday, Prince Trubet-
skoi, the president, in his opening address
dwet upon Russia's serious position and
the regrettable war with Japan, the end OF
which, he said, could not be anticipated
in the near future. He also spoke Of the
country's grave economic crisis and the
internal disorganization. Minister OF the
Interior Mirsky's confidence in the people
had given the zemstvos new power to serve
the State.
The zemstvos felt firm confidence in
the Gar. They believed the happy day
was near when the Gar would summon
the freely elected representatives Of the
people to partake in legislation, through
whose cooperation the imperial power
and the greatness Of the throne would be
strengthened and the successful develop
ment of the Fatherland would be assured.
He was convinced that that development
depended upon the inviolability Of the
person and the equality Of the rights Of all
citizens and freedom of speech and faith.
Resolutions were passed detlaring that
Russia needs peace and freedom and that
only elective representatives can e1tricate
the country from it's difficulties.
Several professors from the uni versity
and various colleges met to-day and unani-
mously adopted a resolution declaring
that the progress Of science in Russia is
impossible except under a constitutional
government.
PARIS. Dec. 27.-The Petit Pdrisien's
st. Petersburg correspondent says that
at the last moment M. Witte Unexpectedly
arose as the champion Of autocracy. plead
ing the incompatibility OF absolutism with
popular representation in any form and
thereby restoring himself to the Czar's
favor.
LONDON, Dec. 2s.-The st. Petersburg
correspondent Of the Telegraph, confirming
the unfavorable impression caused by the
Cars decree. says that nevertheless GER
tain reforms are nearly ready and un-
doubtedly will satisfy those who will profit
by them, among them being the intro
duction Of zenlstvos in Poland. where they
are ardently desired.
Agrarian reforms also will be shortly
realized, while the revision of the legisla-
ton against religious sectarians is actually
going on. Zemstyo circles are resolved TO
continue the agitation through which they
obtained recognition, If not satisfaction. OF
their demands.
The University Of Moscow has been
closed owing TO the students agitation for
a constitutional government.
A despatch to the Express from Zurich
says that Russian revolutionists there
declare that the Cars ukase is a death
blow to the hopes Of the Russian people
for freedom. 1t will be followed by
Nihilist campaign Of unexampled activity
which is already preparing.