The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-26
GAR TURNING
TOWARD PEOPLE
AutOCrat.lnClined to Give
Constitution to the
Subjects.
LIBERALS REJOICE:
MOBILES AMAZED
Emperor Read Petition and Then.
Sent for Representatives Of
Zemstvoist Congress.
Procurer-General
Refuses to
Talk.
s(By Associated Press.)

i VI.
ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. &c, $50 "A. NJ
The unexpected may happen after all.
Tho meeting OF the zcmstvolsts' First
Russian Congress-. as 1t is now called,
may indeed work the Inauguration OF q
new era for Russia Emperor Nicholas,
The initiator Of the plan for universal
disarmament, may turn his back upon the
5reactionarics and crown his reign BY
granting to his subjects the constitution
which his grandfather had already pre-
pared wnen he fell by the hand Of an
assassin.
The basis OF such a possibility La the
significant fact that late this afternoon
the Emperor received at the palace at
Tsarkoe Selo NJ. shipoff, OF Moscow; ~.
Petrunkeivitch. of'Tever NJ. Rodzianko,
OF Dkaterinoslav. and Count Heiden. four
prominent members OF the zcmstvo Con-
gress and listened at length to their
views. 1t develops that when Minister
OF the Interior Sviatopolk- A1irsky pre-
isented the Iemstyo memorial and resolu-
tions on November 24th the Emperor was
50 deeply impressed as well by the con-
tents Of the documents as by the chara G.
terfgof the signcrs ti,aF he Immediately
expressed the desire to receive a depu-
tation OF four.
Great Rejoicing Among People.
The Zematvolsts Therefore went to Tsar-5
skoe-Selo by imperial command. AT their
audience, itlis understood they explained
fully their position and reiterated the
vicws expressed by the memorial that the
salvation. OF the empire from ruin by revo-i
luton lay ii the adoption Of the general
Ideas expressed In the memorial Tho
Emperor was greatly impressed by what
he heard. and asked many questions.
While It Is understood that he gave no;
indlcation nf his purposes except tho sym
pAthy he displayed. the depu tation, when
they returned to st. Petersburg, were In
high spirits.
. The news that the delegation had been
given an audience by the Emperor spread
Ike wlld1re through the city tonight,
and created a tremendous sensation, re-'
joiclng among liberals and amazemcnt
among the uncompro1n!sing supporters OF
the old regime.
Declines to Talk.
The Associated Press correspondent To-
day saw NJ. fobedonostseff. procurer-
general OF the Holy Synod. who is
credited with having Informed the En-,
peror, In connection with the presenta-
ton of the Zemstvo memorial to His
Majesty. that no middle ground Is posi-
BILE at the present moment. This re-
markable man who has exercised 80 much
influence in the councils OF the en-
pire is now mere shadow. almost four
score and his tall withered form seems
bowed beneath the weight OF his finely
chIseled. dome-llke head. Nevertheless
fire still shoulders in the sunlsen caverns
of his gray eyes. An impression of Won
derful virilty still clings to the ghost
like figure. He to-day received the cor
respondent OF tho Associated Press In a
kindly manner. but absolutely declined
to discuss the zemstvo movement. II am
an old man." he said, little time yet re-
mains, but the days and thoughts still
granted mo are consecreated to church
affirs The word concerns me no longer