The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-30
THINKS RUSSIA IS NOT YET PREPARED Agitation for Constitution is
 Ahead of Time WOULD CAUSE DlSCONTENT Distinguished Russian Editor Gives Views on Agitation Recently Be-
 gun By the Zemstvoists for
 Government Reforms.
WOULD CAUSE DISCONTENT

St. Petersburg, November 29.-Prince Mestchersay, editor of the Granshdanin. and the foremost spokesman of the auto eracy hol1s that the inauguration of such reforms as are at present possible in Russia, has been actually prejudiced by the irresponsible agitation for con- stitution, which is now in progress" Au- toeracy he considers vital essential to the life and future greatness of Russia as a nation. Liberal reforms, he main- tains, are necessary, but they cannot be introduced except by the autocracy. Moreover, declared the prince, a broad plan of reform was already mapped out for gradual introduction when the whole work was thrown into confusion by the liberal rebound, accompanied by a de- cision of a constitution which followed Minister ven Plehve's death. Speaking to the Associated Press today, Prince Mestchersky said:
 ''The question is often asked why not introduce a constitution?' Russia might as well ask an American or Briton why not introduce autocracy' A constitution is just as necessary to Great Britain or the United States as autocracy is for Russia. Russia without autocracy would cease to oe Russia.
 Know Not What It Means
 ''The greatest contemporary Russian statesmen, men of the most commanding intellecA like NJ. Witte. are of this opin- ion. Constitutional government is impos- sible in Russia for the simple reason that the vast majority of the people have not the slightest conception of it's meaning. There are perhaps 100, 600 who want a con stituton. Ind they do all the talking, while the emaining 150,000,000 are voice. less, the impression going abroad that sentiment of the majority of the nation desires a change in the form of govern ment If T constitution were introduced tomorrow would be short lived for the simple req 5on that 1t would not be based upon the wishes or ideas of the people, and therefore it would only impede real and lasting reform. Constitutional gov ernment would prove an actual danger because the nation includes races like the Poles, and those of the Baltic terri tory, who are more advanced and de- veloped than the rest They would con sequently con obtain a predominence in the parliament which would call forth the opposition of the great masses of population and lead to the disintergra- ton of the nation.
 We want reforms not annexation. l contend that reform is attalnable only through autocracy The imperial mani festo of February, 1904, laid down on a basis of reform, the government was carefully preparing and gradually but surely carrying out, when von Plehve' s untimely end put a stop to the work. The fundamental idea of this reform is to extend local government by the creation of small zemstvos thus bestowing the widest possible measure Of self govern ment The project contemplates a com plete reorganization or the present form of zemstvos whereby local affairs would be submitted to the control of those im- mediately interested and questions affect ing the provinces at large would be re- ferred to a representative provincial council under the presidency of the gov ernor. Once local government should be