The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-29
Resentment Aroused BY Warning
to ZemstVos
The MOMENT IS CRITICAL
M. Witte Laboring to Formulate Laws
Projected BY Manifesto and the
Destiny of Russia Is In
His Hands.

ST. Petersburg, December 2S-It is ev-
ident from the reports received from the
interior that a fairly good impression
which was produced by the imperial
manifesto on the subject of reforms may
be more than offset in many places by
the effect OF the government note of
warning to the zemstvos Private reports
from Moscow especially indicate that
much excitement prevails there and the
grayest fears is expected that the ancient
capitol of Russia may be the scene of
bloody excesses. A banquet arranged to
take place there last night. on the ami
versary of the Trouootzkoi revolution,
was stopped by order of the police and
the Moscow zemstvo adjourned sine die
a protest against the government note
and the return o. Grand Duke Zergius to
the governor generalship of Moscow. The
grand duke is .-el.. to be responsible for
the note which may signal a renewal of
terrorism, The Pskol- zemstvo has also
followed the dead of Chernigoff and Mos
COW and 1t is not unlikely that others
will follow their example.
Altogether the moment is considered
critical, although the feeling in st. Pc
tersburg is quieter. The papers are not
disposed to regard the injunction TO re-
frain from discussing political matters.
Under cover of commenting on the man
ifesto. which they really accept in
spirit of hopefulness. they hesitate to
the lack of guarantees.
Liberals Uneasy.
The conservative liberals lear that
continuation of this course. especially IL
accompanied by a renewal of revolu-
tionary activity. Will compel repressive
measures. jeopardfze a realization of the
fruits pf the victory gained and place
the moderate liberals in false position
In the meantime NJ. Witte, president
of the committee OF the ministers. Is
acting with energy III preparing to or
ganize the various commissions under the
committee OF ministers to formulate the
laws projected by the manifesto. The
destnies OF Russia in the immediate fu-
ture seem to he In his hands. The ma
jority of the ministers are hostile to him.
hut with the warm support of interior
Minister Sviatopolk -Mirsky assured. no
doubt is entertained that NJ. Witte will
make himself complete master of the
situation The danger Is that a crisis
may be preciptated, not i'll the form of
an actual revolutionary movement, but
in scattered demonstrations and revival
of terrorism which Will again place the re-
actionares In the ascendancy. M. Witte,
It is understood, proposes conside" alton
of the various subjects touched upon in
the manifesto. and while avoiding the
use of the word Representatives" to In
vito editors, zemstovists, etc. to partici-
pate In the discussions.
Another Cause for Alarm.
The strike at the 3aku Oil fields. COM
ing at this time. is another cause for
anxiety as possibly forming a rallying
cry for the workmens organizations.
The Troubetzskoi banquet at Moscow
was only broken up at o'clock this
morning Among those present were
popular writer's. professors OF the nniver-
sty. mining school and the chronological
institute editors and socialist workmen.
NJ. Kedrine, the well known lawyer and
member OF the St Petersburg municipal
lty presided The text Of the resolu-
tion which was carried by '64 20 I votes
after many fervld speeches was as
follows.
In view of the horrors of the war.
which is devoid of sense. and in view
also of the enormous sacrifices and ruin
In which the country Is being involved,
we, representing the liberal professions
and working classes protest against the
war into which the government dragged
the nation without consideration for the
opinions or interests Of the Russian poo
pie. and we express our profound belief
that only the ration itself can save Rus
sia from her difficulties through free
representatives of the people elected BY
secret ballot on the principle of equal
rights.
"our motto is peace and freedom ="