New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-28
RUSSIAN VIEWS OF UKASE
OFFSET By HARSH NOTE.
General Opinion MoHifed By Pro
posed Reforms.

St Petersburg. Dec. 2T.-WhiIe Emperor
Sjcaolas's ranife~to on Russian reforms, cou-
oIe6 with the government note of warning on
he same subject, leaves no doubt that II is the
srn intention Of The Emperor to maintain TN
impaired the autocratic principle and not to
yield to the zemstvos' plea for national as
sau.bIy. the programme of reforms outlined is a
broad one. and if it had net been preceded by
tbe agitation of the last few months would
5roba bly, have been accepted with universal ac-
esim in Russia extremely liberal The rails
hg Of the peasants to al equality with other
cizens -of the empire is practically second only
70 the emancipation of the serfs, but hardly less
important IS the decision TO protect the personal
Iberties Of the people. The measures taken I'M
DER the state Of siege are no longer permissible
accept in cases of crimes against the state The
proposed increase in the independence and scope
q the bon4nas and zemstvos, as well as the crea-
ion Of smaller zemstvo units. the definite pro-
action Of the Jews. Armenians and other unor-
.hodox sects and the revision of the press laws
are ali II line with the zemstvo petition
The Extreme party, of course, is not satisfied.
snd many Of the Moderate Liberals are disap-
pointed. The government note, threatening
d-astic measures in case Of a continuation of the
sgitation. IS resented deeply by them, and, ii is
feared. VIII inaarne rather than aIIay the present
citation. Harsh measures. it is understood. will
kavoided. and the government expects that the
sold nature Of the reforms offered will gradually
draw 70 its support al except the Extreme Rad
cas-
The Emperor's action in conading the task of
rs.orm 10 the Committee Of Ministers. of which
L. de Witte is president, makes the former
Minister Of Finance the man of the hour This
body, whose duties heretofore have been purely
perfunctory, has for the first time sort of min
tse1al responsibility which may make il a real
oabhlet. In addition to the Ministers, six grand
dHzs are members of the committee. AS the
IMPERIAL manifesto directs the committee TO
ssertain the best method" of carrying the re-
firms into effect. some papers notably the
Buss, find in these words that the zemstvo
representatives. may be called in.
Inc general opinion is that the manifesto rep
iesents victory for Prince SviatopoIk- Aftrskv
arc the Conservative Liberals over NJ Pobie-
o9nstsen, Procurator General of the Holy
SYNOD, and the reactionaries and practically
PAGES the strong combination OF NJ. de White
ano the Minister of the Interior behind the
eoFerI1rllent's programme. The vagueness in
Enich the reforms are outlined gives possibili-
nes OF expansion or Limitation, according as
these ideas prevail. With a man of M de
Whites force at the head of the Committee OF
Minister'S. the general belief is that he will con-
tol IN the end.
Those allied with the zenastvo party express
ne intention Of continuing the agitation despite
the governments note OF warning. They believe
Inst the dissinilaTfty of the two documents will
enable them to continue the fight. on the ground
hat the manifesto is in conciliatory spirit and
represents the views OF the Emperor and that
ne government note. with its threat OF repres-
son, is the work Of the bureaucracy against
which their campaign is aimed.
~ IN Or