The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-11-14
GREAT CHANGE
FOR THE BETTER
Policy of Reaction Perished
With Won PIehve.
DAWN OF NEW DAY IN RUSSIA
PRINCE SVIAToPoLK MIRSKY
THE MAN OF THE HOUR.


siaBs, 0VershadOws in Importance all
questions relating to foreign politics.
A new, broad and liberal movement
seems not only under way, but gaining
momentum daily, and the best feature
OF il is that il is entirely divorced
from any radical revolutionary propa-
ganda. Prince Sviatopolk- Mirsky, the
minister of the interior, has given the
movement impetus, but has done so
against the most powerful influences,
and behind the scenes a bitter struggle
is waging for imperial support. Dur
ing the coming week the first test of
strength is likely to occur, the result
of which may mean much for the his
tory of Russia.
Halt Is Called.
The policy Of reaction which had
grown steadily since the accession of
Alexander III seemed suddenly to lose
its main bulwark when Minister PlehYe
fell With the advent of Prince SWAT
CpoIk-M irsky and his frank appeal for
a policy OF mutual confidence between
government and people, a tremendous
liberal rebound occurred, raising, per-
haps unjustifiably, high hopes and
aspirations. An American enjoying abb
solEe political freedom can hardly ap-
preciate the full Significance of the
Sviatopolk Mirsky's inauguration.
The Russian policy as regards Finland,
If not reversed, has been greatly amel-
iOrated, and the Finnish national diet
will meet next month. Only yesterday
prominent Finlanders who were eXiled
under the Plehve regime received per-
mission to return to their own country
or to go abroad if they desired TO do so.
The oppressive activity Of the police
relaxed; Punishment by administrative
order has been abolished; hundreds OF
political prisoners exiled to Siberia
have been recalled; the Jews have re-
ceived assurances of the dawning of a
brighter day; the doors have been
thrown open at two of the biggest trials
proceeding in Russia Qhe Schsumann
treason trial and the Jewish trial at
GomeD, and the method of treating
student demonstrations has been radi-
Cally changed. Persuasion is being sub
stituted for Cossack charges.
Press Has Liberty.
But nowhere are the changes so
marked as in the matter of the press.
After years of the strictest censorship
Russian papers suddenly found their
voices within the last fortnight and
were remarkably plain-spoken in the
discussion of internal affairs, and es-
pecially in connection with the forth
coming meeting of ZemstvO reports.
All accounts of the Schaumann and
Gomel trials have been printed. and
even particulars OF student demon
STATIONS. with resolutions offered at
the polytechnic institute declaring that
what was wanted was not confidence,
but an end of the war and the imme-
diate convocation OF national as
sembly. Such an unprecedented publi-
cation made the Russian public rub its
eyes in amazement. Prince Ouktom-
sky. editor OF the Viodomsti said to the
Associated Press today that never with
in his memory had Russian newspapers
been allowed such liberties; yet these
things had been done quietly and with
out public proclamation. AS a rule he
scids the laws had not been modified.
For instance, the old press law is still
hanging above the heads Of editors like
the sword of Damocles. The machinery
of repression exists, but is not in oper-
alton.
In the meantime. about the head Of
Prince Sviatopolk- Mirsky has ragged a
storm Of opposition. All the reaction
airy elements, including the solid
bureaucracy, have used all the
weapons at hand to. undermine him.
NJ Pobiedonosteff, procUrator of the
holy synod, has warned the emperor
that If rumors attributed to court
circles are creditable, autocraey and
orthodoxy Will both be ia danger If
the present movement is not stopped
promptly A week ago il was actually
believed that Prince SViatOpOlk- MirskY
had been Overthrown. but subsequent
developments proved the contrary.
Nevertheless. his enemies persistently
Keep reports afioat that the health Of
the minister OF the interior is bad,
and that the nature of the. campaign
which he is fighting is enough 10
shatter the health OF a strong man.
People With the Prince.
In the character Of the elements
which have rallied TO his support,
however, lies Prince SviatopOlk-
Mrsky's strength. They include
neither radicals nor reyolutiOnaries.
but the great mass of conservative,
liberal minded. loyal Russians. who
gress of the empire lies in larger lib
critics, but who have not particle Of
sympathy with violence or revolution.
1t is fortunate. indeed, that Prince
Sviatopolk- Mirsky has not attracted
the support of the radicals, for that
would place a powerful weapon in the
hands Of his adversaries
Inc EnGlEltS Oh the IUluiSLtI OI bhN
interior are now moving heaven and
earth to postpone the meeting OF the
presidents OF the thirty-eight pro-
vincial ZemstvOs which is scheduled
for next Saturday, and in the present
circumstances some of the minister s
OWN friends are counselIing him 10 al
low 4 postponement until January,
fearing that a too radical expression
Of views in the agitation raised might
furnish too much ammunition for the
opposition.
NJ. Shipcff. president Of the Moscow
Zemstvo. who viii preside at the meet
ing, favors this temporizing policy. II
is even reported that Prince Sviato-
polk AIirsky IS wavering, though his
friends declare that this untrue.
Gar VIII Decide.
The whole question viii be decided by
the emperor early in the week. Some
of the presidents already here are ex-
cited over the possibility Of postpone
ment. declaring that Il the meeting is
formally postponed it viii be held sur
reptitiousIy. Undoubtedly postpone
ment would be a crushing blow and
create an exceedingly bad impression.
This Is due 70 the fact that the meet
ing has been clothed with q sentimental
Importance hardly justified by it's ac-
tual powers. 1t is purely unofficial,
without direct authority to act; but,
IT ii the first time of an authorized as
sembling OF representatives OF the
Zemstvo from all over Russia. The
meeting is not intended to be Of a pub
lie character. The programme includes
the decision OF three points, namely:
First The conditions which have
prevented Zemstvo activity, giving
wide scope for consideration of the