The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-11-29
THE GAR MAY
GRANT REFORMS
He Receives Prominent Members OF
the Zemstvo Congress.
WAS IMPRESSED BY THEIR VIEWS

ieneraI Nogi Ordered to Renew At
tack On Port Arthur and Capture
Fortress at Any Cost - stoessel
Says Garrison Is Being Starved
Out" - Russian Squadron Reaches
Suez Canal.
ST. Petersburg. Nov. 26.-The uneX-
pected may happen after all. The meet
inC OF the ZemstvOists' first Russian
congress-" as II is now called. may IL
deed work the Inauguration OF a new
era for Russia. Emperor Nicholas. the
initiator of the plan for universal dls-
armament. may turn back upon the
reactionaries and crown his reign by
granting to his subjects the constitu'
ton which his grandfather had al
ready prepared when he fell by the
hand of an assassin.
The basis of such possibility is the
significant fact that the emperor re-
ceived in the palace at Tsarkoe-Selo
NJ. Shipoff. of Moscow: Nj. Petrunkei-
witch. of TeveC: NJ. RodZianko. of Eka-
terinoslay. and Count IleddOn. four
prominent members of the ZemsIvo
congress. and listened at length TO
their views. 1t develops that when
Minister of the Interior Syiatopolk-
Mirsky presented the Zemstvo memo
rial and resolution on November u
the emperor was so deeply impressed
as well by the contents of the docn-
ments as by the character of the sign
ers that he Immediately expressed the
desire to personally receive a deputa-
ton Of four.
The Zemstvoists therefore went to
Tsarkoe- Selo by imperial command.
At their audience. il is understood.
they explained fully their position and
reiterated the views expressed by the
memorial that the salvation of the
empire from ruin by revolution lay in
the adoption of the general ideas eX-
pressed in the memorial. The emperor
was greatly impressed by what he
heard. and asked many questions.
While il is understood that he gave no
indication of his purposes except the
sympathy he displayed. the deputation
when they returned 10 ST. Petersburg
were in high spirits Naturally they
declined to say anything for publica-
ton regarding the visit.
The news that the delegation had
been given an audience by the empe-
ror spread like wildfire through the
city and created a tremendous sensa-
ton. rejoicing among liberals and
amazement among the uncompromis-
ing supporters Of the old regime.
Earlier in the day the report was cur
rent that an immediate effect Of the
Zemstyo meeting would likely be the
realization of the plan for giving two
elected Zemstvo representatives seats
in the council of the empire.
One of the prominent liberals WHO
participated in the congress declined
tonight to share in the jubilation Of
some Of his colleagues. and expressed
the opinion that victory was yet n
long way off, although he said he be-
lieved ii was sure TO come in the end.
He pointed out that the declaration
in the memorial in favor OF the abro-
CATION of special privileges and for the
equality of the classes before the law
when il became known throughout
Russia was bound to appeal strongly
to the peasantry "All the members
of the congress-" said he, ARE large
landed proprietors. A leveling pro-
cess which would put the Mujik on ar
equality with them must be prejudi-
cial to their personal interests. In no
other country in the world, except
Russia. would you find men anxious
to make sacrifices for an altruistic
ideal. The same thing. however, hap
pened with the emancipation of the
serfs in the time of Alexander ii, when
many mobiles advocated the measure
though it meant practically ruin for
them personally"