The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-28
CARS MANIFESTO
CONSIDERED BROAD
Holds Forth Promise of Much
Needed Reform
EXTREMISTS STILL BUSY
Not Satisfied With the Programme and
Many Moderate Liberals Are Dis
appointed-Government
Note Resented.
EXTREMISTS STILL BUSY

st. Petersburg, December 27.-While
Emperor Nicholas manifesto on Russian
reforms. coupled with the government
leaves no doubt that 1t is the firm inten-
ton of the emperor to maintain unim-
paired the autocratic principle which no
observer here ever imagined he would
relinquish and not yield to the zemstvost
demand for a national Legislature, the
programme Of reforms outlined is broad
one, and If it had not been preceded by
the agitation of the last few months
would probably have been accepted with
universal acclaim In Russia as extremely
liberal. The raising of the peasants to an
equality with other citizens of the en-
pire Is alone practically second only to
the emancipation of the serfs, but hardly
less important are the guarantees which
the manifesto directs to be Incorporated
in the laws for the protection of the per-
sonal liberties of the people against the
abuses of administrative arbitrarness
The measures taken under the state of
siege are no longer ipermitable except in
cases of crimes against the state. The
increase in the Independence and scope of
the Doumas and zemstvos, well as the
creation of smaller zemstvos units, the
definite protection of the Jews, Armenians
and other unorthodox sects, and the re-
vision of the press laws, are all on the
line Of the zemstvos demands.
Extremists Not Satisfied.
The extremists of course are not sat
isfied and many of the moderate liberals
are disappointed. The government note
threatening drastic measures In the event
o. a continuation of the vain agitation
considered necessary In order to put a
stop to the existing ferment, Is resented
deeply by them and it is feared viii
inflame rather than allay the present agi-
tation. Harsh measures, 1t is understood,
however will be avoided and the gov
eminent expects that the solid nature
of the reforms offered will gradually
draw to its support all except the ex-
IRENE radicals.
Fully as important as the government
response to the zemstvoists is the posi-
ton in which NJ. White is placed by
confidng the reforms to the committee
O. ministers Of which he is president
The old finance minister becomes the
man of the hour confirming the reports
that he is again in high imperial ia
vor Moreover, this body, the duties of
which heretofore, have been purely func-
tory, are raised TO the highest ulBnlly
and institute for the 1irst time a species
Of ministerial responsibility, which is apt
to make the committee of ministers a real
cabinet. In addition to the minister, six
grand dukes are members of the COM
mittee AS the imperial manifesto d.
reefs the committee to ascertain the best
method of carrying the reforms into
effect" some papers, notably the Russ
find In these worus tnat the committee
may call in zemstvo representatives.
Victory for Mlrsky.
The general opinion is that the mani
festo represents a victory for Interior
Minister Mirsky and the conservative
liberals over M Pobiedosteff, procurator
of the general holy synod, and the reac-
tionaries, and practically places the
strong combination of M. Witte and
Sviatopolk-Mirsky behind the govern
ments proclamation. The vagueness
with which the reforms are outlined raise
possibilities of expansion or limitation ac-
cording as their ideas prevail. With a
man of NJ. Whites domination and force
at the head of the committee Of ministers,
the general belief is that he will control
in the end.
Those allied with the zemstvofsts ex-
press the intention of continuing the agi-
tation despite the governments note Of
warning. They believe that the dissimi-
larity Of the two documents will enable