The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-15

N4 ~M event which is calcu-
F&9A(%RSV lated to stimulate the
curiosity of those who
are interested in the policy which Rus
STA will see fit to adopt in regard to the
further prosecution of the war in Man
ch,,ria- The new minister is a man of
avowed liberal tendencies, and his WIFE,
who is a lineaI descendant OF catherine
the Great, is even more outspoken IN
her views. being an ardent supporter ol
the League of Peace.
The new official began Immediately
after his appointment was made public
to outline the policy which he INTENDED
70 pursue, This of course, related only
to domestic affairs and had no reference
to the conduct of the war. He made no
secret of his intention to be guided by a
sincere and broad liberalism in so far
as such a course would not interfere
with matters as they now exist He de-
cIared that because he was a native of
one of Russia's provinces he did not
svrnpathize with the concentration OF
all governing power at the capital and
promised that he would see TO II tnat
the provinces had some share in the
making of laws. He does not however,
believe that his nation is mt for a par
liamentary system. the character or the
people not tending that way.
The prince admits frankly that the
war is extremely unpopular with. the
masses of the Russian people I'VE did
not want it," he declares, but since it
is here we must permit it to do us as
little damage as possible and must
bring it to a conclusion without any
sacrifice of honor or territory" 1t is
apparent from this expression that the
new minister does not intend to recede
from the position now occupied by his
country in regard to the active prose-
I,fe oil ref1 t.
followed in quick succession by the sus-
pIcion that the liberal princes appoint
I11ent has for its immediate object the
modification of the disafected provinces
and the lessening of the strain upon the
home government. If this can be ac-
complished, if the attention of the prov
inces can be diverted from their own
grievances. even though it can be
brought about only by concessions
which must be most distasteful to the
government, it will smooth the way for
the withdrawal of the large bodies of
troops which at present are needed in
the garrisons of the outlying depart
ments. Thus the czar will be able to
assemble an army of well disciplined
troops, replacing them, If necessary,
with Ievies from the reserves. AS af-
fairs are at present no government is
more dependent upon it's efficient stand
ing army than is the Russian empire
with it's teeming populations of half
conquered and wholly irreconciled sub
jects.
If Prince Mirsky has undertaken the
task of reducing these hostile elements
to a state of practical docility he is a
man OF stupeudons courage, and if he
should succeed he would be the wonder
worker of the age. The project of
finding distractions sufficiently engross-
ing to call off the attention of the COM
posite millions who are clamoring for
all sorts of impossibilities is worthy of
supreme genius, but it's accomplishment
would be superhunan. The car, who
is faddist and a dreamer, may have
convinced himself of its feasibility, but
il is incredible that the logical minds
of the empire-and Russia has her
share of these-should be led astray by
such barefaced optimism.
1t is announced with great apparent
enthusiasm that the czar, now that he