Evening journal., 1904-11-14
The New Broad and Lib
eraI Movement Under
Way Gaining Momen-
tum Daily
Free From Radical Revo-
Iutionap1 Propaganda.
Given Impetus by Min
lister of Interior

lister of Interior
st. Petersburg. NOV 14.-Russia is
gacing a great internal crisis, which. in
the minds Of intelligent Russians,
overshadows in Importance all ques-
tions relating TO the war and foreign
politics. A new. broad and liberal
movement seems not only under way,
but gaining momentum daily; and the
best feature Of II is that it is entirely
divorced from any radical revolution
airy propaganda. Prince Sviatopolk-
Mirslxy, the minister OF the interior.
has given the movement impetus, but
has done so against the most powerful
influences. and behind the scenes a
bitter struggle is waging for imperial
support. During the coming week the
first test OF strength is likely TO occur.
the result Of which may mean much
Tor the history Of Russia.
The policy Of reaction, which has
grown steadily since the accession OF
Alexander III, seemed suddenly TO lose
its mcin bulwark when Minister Won
Plehve fell. With the advent Of Prince
Sviatopolk-Mirslky and his frank ap-
peal for a policy Of mutual confidence
between government and people, a
tremendous liberal rebound occurred.
raising, perhaps uniustifably. high
hopes and aspirations An American.
enjoying absolute political freedom,
can hardly appreciate the fun slgnif-
cance Of what the changes that have
occurred since Prince Sviotopolk-
Mirsky's Inauguration means in a land
OF absolutism.
The Russian policy as regards Fin
land II not reversed he's been greatly
ameliorated. and tho Finnish national
diet will meet next month. Only yes
terday prominent Finlanders who
we're exiled under the Plehve regime
received permission TO return to their
own country or to so abroad If they
desired so TO do. The oppressive ac-
tivity Of the police throughout the em-
plre has been largely relaxed; banish-
ment by administrative order has been
abolished; hundreds of political pris-
oners exiled TO Siberia have been re-
called: tho Jews have received assur-
ances of the dawning Of a brighter
day; the doors have been thrown open
az two OF the biggest trials proceeding
in Russia tthe@ srhaumann treason
trial and-the Jewish trial at Gomel) /;
and the method OF treating student
demonstrations has boen radically
changed. persuasion being substituted
for Cossack charges. But nowhere arc
the changes SO marked as n the mat
ter Of the press. After years OF the
strictest - censorship. Russipu papers
suddenly found their voices within the
last fortnight and were remarkably
plain spoken in the discussion OF in
ternal affairs. and especially in con-
nection with the Forthcoming meeting
Of zemstvo representatives.
In the meantime about the head of
Prince -Mirsky has ragged a
storm of opposition. All the reaction
ary elements. including the solid bu-
rcauoracy. have used all the weapons
at hand TO undermine him. NJ Pobie-
donosten, procurator OF the Holy
Synod, has warned the emperor that
if rumors attributed to court circles
nre credible. autocracy and orthodoxy
win both be in danger n the present
movement Is not stopped promptly.
The enemies OF the minister OF the
interior are now moving heaven and
earth to postpone the meeting OF the
presidents OF Ss provincial zemstvos
which is scheduled for next Saturday;
and some Of the minister's own friends
arc counseling him to allow a post
ponoment until January. fearing that
too radical expression Of views in
tho agitation raised might furnish toe
much ammunition for the opposition
The whole question will be decided by
the emperor early In the week
The meeting is purely unofficial
without direct authority to act. but 4
Is the first time Of an authorized as
sembling of representatives of tn
xemstvos from all over Russia. TIL
meeting is not intended to be Of a pub
lie character. The program includes tn
discussion of three points, namely:
First, the conditions which hav
prevented zemstvo activity, givin
wide scope for consideration Of Il
very questions heretofore prohibited.
fsecond. the organization Of Gel
tral administration Of agriculture.
Third. cooperation Of local zemst'
hospitals in the case OF wounded pc
pie.
Although the subjects appear vagl
and indefinite. all aim at national C
operation of the zemstvos, which CO..
tain a suggestion Of sort of land pa
Lament. where the wishes of the pr
vincial zemstvos could be voiced. Th'
also raise the question OF the charact
OF the central zemstvo unit and Il
collateral question of the elective prii
ciple in the matter OF representatio
However. as the conference will
private. its decisions will be more
less academic.
eEN.KURoKPs DEATH coNFIRME
Russian Declares He Died In Shak