New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-27
A LIBERAL AUT0CRACY.
Pieces of NJ. SouUorin on Needed
Changes in Russia.

conference Of the zemstvo leaders is still un-
certain. Bureaucratic circles generally Of
the opinion that the conference farce
and that it will lead to nothing: but vast
majority Of the intelligent class is convinced
that it has placed upon record the wishes of
practically the entire country. The conviction
prevailing in many quarters, however, is that
change will be made Immediately. NJ. Sou
vorin, the veteran editor of the "Novoe Vremya,"
said to-day:
1 certainly think the conference was highly
significant 1t shows the necessity for de-
parture from the present system. Personally,
l do not agree with all of the zemstvo proposals.
Their memorial embodieS to the last word the
science OF constitutional government l think
some form OF national representation is bound
to come.
Our greatest need is freedom to work. think.
speak and write. That freedom seems unattain-
able under the present bureaucratic regime,
which congresses the activity of the whole ma
ton and raises countless obstacles in the way of
personal initiative and enterprise. The diff
culties surrounding the opening of store mill
or any kind of business prompted M de White.
president of the Ministerial Council, some years
ago to draw up memorandum recommending
removal Of the VeXatiouS treatment of private
enterprise, but his suggestions remained barren
or result. There was no lack of admirable ideas
in the proposal
We want the acts which the late NJ.
Plehve introduced into the law of 1902, enabling
the admission Of consulting members to the
Council Of Law These acts have remained
dead letter. owing TO the opposition of the bu-
reaucrats of the empire. PlehVe doubtless would
gradually have extended the zemstvo system,
admitting peasants to small zemstvo units and
would have introduced other reforms of a liberal
tendency. NJ. de White was not far wrong when
he summed UP Plehve with the words You
VIII see that he vii, bring Russia to a consti-
tuition" but Plehve spoiled everything by pre-
ceding the intended reforms with a policy of
own ideas.
repeat we now want acts not words. What
acts VIII follow the pronouncenlent of the zemst-
Eos am not prepared to say but, in my opin-
he Of 17T11f0r tiYSp
an elective body to act IN a consultative ca
pacity TO the sovereign, who should retain alb
solute freedom to follow the recommendations of
best.
NJ. de Witte does not believe in constitutional
government for Russia, bu- prefers a benevolent
autocracy. 1 also think autocracy should be
preserved Autocracy is no longer what it was.
Cars have given away many of their preroga-
tives. such vassalage and serfdom, and volun-
tarily have curtailed absolute power by the
creation of zemstvos and various forms OF collie
tailment OF the autoCratic power to summon
representatives of the people, but rather
strengthening Of imperial authority, since 1t
would enable the monarch to know the true
needs and desires of his subjects.
The idea of NJ. Ignatief. former Minister of
the Interior of parliament to sit as consulta-
tive body is worth reconsidering as the logical
development of zemstvos. which would be a
ready made electoral college for the land par
lament. In my opinion it would be more pref
cradle to have two houses, Of which the higher
should take the place of the present Council of
and part appointed; and the lower house to
be composed Of members each representing
large constituency. Otherwise. the population
or 100000 would make necessary a too
wieldy lower house.
I am not in favor of granting representative
rights in some of the outlying regions like the
Caucasus, Central Asia, whose people alien
races and not in sympathy with the rest OF the
empire. These it is advisable to leave on the
same footing as the Territories of the Tinted
States, until they are ripe for admission to what
may call statehood.
heIio &c hat he nIoa he grt+r
duced gradually The first phase should be the
introduction Of the elected members to the
Council of the Empire, which would be useful
initiation Of our statesmen and people into rep
resentative institutions.
Americans cannot realize the difficulty and
danger Of suddenly introducing institutions here.
Even our statesmen are not versed in the arts of
government. NJ. Plehve gave illustration Of
promoting counter revolutionary associations OF
workingmen. with the result that the associa-
lions were utilized by the very movement
against which they were directed the outcone
of the experiment being continual strike riots at
Moscow and PoltaYa. The fact is. we have not
had the opportunity 70 learn the art Of govern
ment All our Intelligent classes naturally
inclined toalibersl ideas, but. they have not ex-
perience to apply them. All this sufficiently in
dictates the necessity for the greatest prudence
and caution in the manner Of introducing the
representative SYSTEM and the great danger In
adopting Ill digested Western constitution
Provided caution is exercised, I cannot see
how the autocracy. which. repeat, must remain
the keystone of our system, will be imperiIled
by the Introduction Of a representative system.
There is absolute necessity for the safeguarding
of the autocracy in consequence of the views and
ideas of the peasantry. Peasants have not the
slightest idea Of the meaning Of constitution.
All their thoughts and desires are centred in
land They believe the land ought to belong
to them. and they are convinced that the Little
Father alone is able to satisfy what thew regard
as legitimate aspirations. They look upon bu-
reaucrats. landlords and zemstvos as parts of
the machinery which is preventing them from
obtaining more land to enable them to mitigate
their terrible poverty.
Count TOlStoy shares the opinion of the peas
ants on the land question. He told me when last
! him that he would not fail before he died
to write a letter to the Car advocating the doc
trines of Henry George. The absolute fidelity
of the peasants to the Car, therefore, is based
upon unshakable foundation. I am persuaded
to believe that the intelligent classes also are
loyal
There is not the slightest ground to believe in
the success of a revolutionary movement in Rus
STA Indeed, since the advent of the Minister OF
the Interior, Prince SViatOpolk- Mirsky. and his
appeal for mutual confidence, the tendency
among influential and sober minded members
demonstrations which formerly ELECTED sympa-
thy from the people now call forth general con-
demnatlon. A recent instance of this was al
Kharkor. A small crowd Of students and work.
lngmen attempted to parade the streets with red
flags, but We're dispersed by the public without
assistance from the police
Whatever the future NAV have I'm store am
convinced that a reversion to the P!ehve svs-
tenn is impossible Public opinion has developed
such strength under stress of our present ad-
versties that stern repression is no longer an
preciable. am still confident that the winter
OF the bureaucracy, which. like the Russian
winter, condemned us to long period of in
activity, is giving way before the advent or
spring, as I prophested last year although NO
one then believed me- and the Russian sprfngtide
season Is marVellously quick in growth