Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-28
FEELING VERY STRONG
MOSCOW ZEMSTVO UNABLE TO
CONTINUE ITS SESSION.

There is a very strong feeling
manifested in Russia over the com
promise reform measures offered ny
the car in his recent manifesto
Probably the best index of the situa-
ton was shown in the adjournment
today OF the Moscow zemstvo rather
than sign as sponsors an address to
the emperor of eulogistic char
acter. In all parts of Russia there
is feeling of distrust over the pro-
posed reform measures.
MOSCOW, December 2s,-The zemstvo ad-
journed indefinitely yesterday evening, al'er
the adoption of a resolution as follows:
This zemstvo, deeply moved by the gov
ernment's note in regard to proceedings at
zcmstvo meetings is unable to continue It's
business with the necessary caiHi' anu
therefore adjourns sine die
The resolution was signed by thrly-loui
delegates. Seven delegates voted against II.
Prior to putting this resolution, PRESIDENT
T1ubetzkoi said that two dissentlent state
ments had been appended to the minutes
of the previous sitting One had single
signature attached to it. The other hao
thirteen. The latter was as follows:
impossible to Sign Address.
Eve find it impossible to sign the pro-
posed address to the emperor. lose'hei
with the great mass of the Russian people
we firmly believe in the ancient prlnclpie Oh
the emperor S autocracy and uncondltioIai-
ly repudiate any attempt to limit OF pe-
little it. regarding it as the fundamehtal
basis of Russias state life. Every chahSe
which aims at a limitation OF the lnpeia a.,9a "a,
in the most hostile spirit, because they can
not conceive any other form OF soVeiIihetit zen.
than autocracy and Will not permit any
alien institutions to be imposed upon ,hehn
that would be doing violence 10 lheii az
cient ideals and views
To Avert Radical Rupture.
..No less firmly do we believe that 'ne
autocratic power will find the rlght way
to terminate the dsorganization Oh oile
state and public life and introduce REFORMS
corresponding with the matured heeos VI
the people without recourse TO a raoleai
r,nture of the existing order of things III
the state at the present moment "heh
Russia is involved in a serious war
I'VE regard the attempt TO lhaaeurate it
radical government reforms as pa @ ~
inopportune. The whole energy OF tle PEI
ME must be concentrated toward the at
tainment of the goal-namely, the deiense
of the honor. dignity and might of the
fatherland.
Must Rally Round the Throne.
"Au Russia must rally round the throne
and help It to extricate the country from
its serious plight. To utilize such mo-
ment for CARRYING out radical state REFORMS
uould bring to a head the internal disorders
from which the country is already suHerlhs
sufficiently. By adopting petition of a
political nature the ZemstVo quite eHceeuS >
the limits of its powers and deprlVes l.seil
by openly infringing the laws Oh the rig ~ ~
Of nrotesting against interference in the
conduct of the zemstvo's own affairs
Good Impression Offset.
ST. PETERSBURG, December 2s-lt is
evident from the reports received from the
interior that the fairly good impression pro-
duced by the imperial manifesto on the SUBJ
iect of reforms may be more than offset In
many places by the effect of the govern
nent note of warning to the Zemstvos. Pri-
yate reports from Moscow especially indi-
cate that much excitement prevails there,
and the graveSt fears are expressed tnat
the ancient capital of Russia may be the
scene of bloody excesses.
A banquet arranged to take place there
last night, ON the anniversary of the Trou-
botzskoi revolution was stopped by order
of the police, and the Moscow Zemstvo ad-
iourned sine die a protest against the
government note and the return of Grand
Duke Sergius, the governor general of
Moscow. The grand duke is held to be re-
sponsible for the note, which may signal a
renewal of terrorism.
Moment Critical.
The Pskoff Zemstvo has also followed the
lead of those of Chernigof and Moscow,
and it is not unlikely that others will follow
their example. Altogether the moment is
considered critical, although the feeling in
ST. Petersburg is quieter The papers are
no. disposed to regard the injunction to
refrain from discussing political matters.
Under cover of commenting on the man.
ifesto, which they really accept in spirit
of hopefulne SIS. they do not hesitate to
point out the vagueness of its terms and
the lack of guarantees. The conservative
liberals fear that a continuation of this
course especially if accompanied by re-
newal of revolutionary activity. will cOmpe
repressive measures. ieopardiZe a realfZd-
tor OF the fruits of the victory gained and
place the moderate liberals In false po-
sition.