New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-13
MISGOTERNED NUSCOPY.
Il Vel Meaning Car Hampered by
Selfish Bureaucracy.

ssi Harper & Bros.
To Hugo CAM Russia presents as many mex
plicabie contradictions her present antaso-
MIST Japan, does to the average tourist who
rnshes into print with his impressions of travel.
THE Land OF Riddles" he calls his book, which
he has written the result OF several weeks
observation and interviewing in the Cars
dominions, where he undoubtedly found what
he went 10 seek a condition of affairs that
would be quite impossible in and inconsistent
with constitutional monarchy or a republic
Yet when we consider that Russia is abso-
lutte monarchy, governed by despot, benevo-
lent IL you viii. but ineffectively benefcent. and
peopled by a race beginning to respond to
the influential environment OF the free nations
on her western boundaries and beyond. the
conditions which the author discovered do
not seem unnatural. however temporarily de-
ploTable, do the riddles which they present
seem incapable of solution. Indeed. it is APP
parent from recent events that they may be on
the point OF resolving themselves The confer
ence OF The ZeInstvos and the consideration OF
their petition by the Emperor are at least TO bs
regarded entering wedge of the revoiu-
ton, peaceful otherwise, as radical or reac-
tionary influences shall prove the more power
full that is bound to come.
Mr. CAM is a journalist of experience In
his comparatively short visit he made the most
of hts opportunities. and his book is readable
record OF what he saw and heard, and a keen
if not altogether unprejudiced commentary
thereon. He doubtless believes he says,
that he entered on his task with prejudices,
but he Immediately discounts this statement by
descanting the difficulties Of such an under
taking, owing 70 the inquisitive and pernicious
surveillance of the police. What a condition
Of things for a great country" he eXclaims,
that every traveller who wishes to enter its
territory must arm himself with precautionary
measures. as If he were preparing to visit
robbers den" Yet he cog~fesses. Il did not
experience the slightest annoyance throughout
my entire journey. 1 not subjected to police
surveillance. did 1 notice in my meagre cor
respcndence the least trace Of police interference
the latter being probably due to the extreme
precautions taken by me in sending my mail in
inconspicuous envelopes"
The really retardng and most dangerous in
fuence in Russia the author discerns to be
the anarchy. not of the "dynamiter," but Of the
public official do not forget" said a prince
friend and former confidant of the Car, that
being ruled by Camorra of Bureau
Gratis that have no interest all in the real
welfare OF the country. but have their primary
interest in the uncurtailed maintenance of their
power" This bureaucracy is not responsible &c
the people whom it Expresses for its ends
and IL contrfves TO surround its ruler with IN
fUences that render him. with the best inten-
tions IN the world both blind and deaf to its
abuses, and ignorant Of the measures best
adapted TO correcting them. He knows, of
course. that things are moi as they should be- is,
indeed this noble expressed il. the first of
the maicontents," whose one desire is to help
his people. The Canorra. of which the grand
dukes are she leaders. knows this, and accord
irgly exerts all its influence to prevent his get
ting nearer to the people. or creating insttu-
tions that would put an end to the omnipotence
of the official class. He would find threatening
letters under his pillow and elsewhere, which,
according to the authority, could only
have found their way there through the con-
nivance OF the secret police then under the
direct control Of Plehve. 1t was Plehve. said
this prince (whose word the author declares
may be taken without reservel. who arranged
the Kishinef massacres. for the purpose Of in
timidating the Jews who, by their tempera-
ment, bring little more life to the radical par
ties" and SO TO create the impression that there
was discomfort in the country, not against the
government, but against the usurious Jews
From the statements not only of this inform
ant, but of all with whom he talked and from
his own observations, Mr.. CAM is convinced
that there is no popular feeling in Russia
against the Jews. 'Usury'' he says, is car
ried on by good. orthodox Christians much
more successfully than by the Jews who are
comparatively few in number. and, besides do
The revolution which this Russian prince seemed
most TO dread. in case of the disastrous ending
Of the present war. is of the peasants not
against the Jews even the regime itself but
against all property owning and educated per
sons. 1t would begin" he declared, by all
Of US being killed and thrown into the river
and" he added, the odds would be a hundred
10 one that the police would not be actively
against this revolution. but secretly would be
n or6er tn
surely Of their real antagonist the educated
classes" If the reader detects any inconsst-
ency in these conclusions of the former con-
hdant Of the Gar" he may set It down as one
Of the unexplained riddles" which Mr. CAM
encountered and from which he named his
book The Jewish problem Itself is one for
which he is ready with a solution which ia here
oAered in the shape OF extracts from his chan
ter devoted TO the subject:
The Jewish problem is nothing but problem of
relative oyerpoPulation- The Jews only unen-
each other made this observation in TIE follow H
ing way: The Jewish proletarians of Poland i'm
their filth, their craftness their perpetual readi
sesS 70 cheaL cannot out III the Western
thoughts Either must rencunce our
part Of the Eastern Hebrews altogether unpieasant
Comparison with the still dirtier sun more
Immoral stu more neglected Polish nroIetar!at
Goes MOI drive away these thoughts In the
GILies Tree OF Jews al! this suddenly disappears
In1 Jews Whoin one mas oppoT tunity to meet there
wen educated merchants OF the frst guild fncor-
qiers or NICHOLAS ], are of quite another calibre
from their Polish trothers. They in no way 10
be distinguished from the Russians. Under
quite different economic conditions existence he
most expedient hing %oad evidentS he sy The
declare the removal Of all restrictive Jaws and to
open 20 The Jews the interior OF the country as
@eli an All occupations which they might wish IN
srteT The blessing TO Russia would lie immense
FOR The Jews, as thinking men and members OF
race Of ancient civilization, would bring - he