The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-11-14
GREAT CHANGES SEEMS
 lMMINBNf. IN RUSSIA
lConTInued lrom rlrst .rage.l


 nal affairs, and especially in connection with the forthcoming meeting of Semstvo representatives. Long ac- cu5-ass.a ns the Schaumann and Gomel trials have been printed, and even par 'ticulars of student demonstrations, with resolutions offered al the Polytechnic Institute declaring that what was want ed was not confidence. but n end of the war and the immediate conversation of a national assembly. Such an unprece- dented publication made the Russian public rub its eyes in an1azement.
 Prince Ouktomsky, editor of the Vie- donlosti said to the Associated Press to-day that never within his memory had Russian newspapers been allowed such liberties; yet tbese things had been done quietly and without public proclamation. As rule, he said, no laws had been modified. For instance, the old press law is still hanging above the heads of editors Ike the sword of Damocles. The machinery of repres- sion exists, but Is not in operation.
 Tn the meantime about the head of Prince Sviatopolk- Mirsky has ragged a storm of oppositions All the reaction ary elements, including the solid but reaucracy, have used all the weapons at hand to undermine him.
 M. Pobiedonosteff, procurator of the Holy Synod, has warned the emperor that if rumors attributed to court cir cles are credible autocracy and ortho- doxy will both be in danger If the pres ent movement is not stopped promptly. A week ago 1t was actually believed that Prince Syiatopoly Mirsky had been overthrown, but. subseauent develop ments proved the contrary. Neverthe- less, his enemies persistently keep re- ports afloat that the health of the min- ister of the interior Is bad and that the nature of the campaign which he is fighting is enough to shatter the health of a strong man.
 Tn the character of elements which have rallied to his support, however, lies Prince Sviatopolk- -Mirsky's strength. They include neither radicals nor reyolutionaries, but the great mass Of conservatives, liberal-minded, loyal Russians, who believe that the saliva ton and progress of the empire lie in larger liberties, but who have not a particle of sympathy with revolution. It is fortunate, Indeed, that Prince Syiatopolk- Mirsky has not attracted the support of the radicals, for that would place a powerful weapon in the hands of the adversaries.
 The enemies of the minister of inter- for are now moving heaven and earth to postpone the meeting of the presi- dents of thirty-eight provincial zems- toves, which is scheduled for next Sat urday; and in the present circumstan- ces some of the minister's own friends are counselling him to allow the post ponement until January, fearing that a too radical expression of views in the agitation raised, might furnish too much ammunition for the opposition. M. Shipoff, president of the Moscow zenstov, who will preside at the meet Ing, fayors this temporizing policy. It is even reported that Prince Sviatopolk- Mirsky is wavering, though his friends declare that this is untrue The whole question will be decided by the emperor early in the week. Some of the presi- dent already here are excited over the possibility of postponement, declar- ing that if the meeting is formally postponed it will be held surreptitious- .ly. Undoubtedly postponement would be crushing blow and create an ex- .eeedingly bad impression. This is due to the fact that the meeting has been clothed with a sentimental importance hardly justified by it's actual powers. It is purely unofficial, without direct power to act, but it is the first time of an authorized assembling of represen- tatives of the zemstovs from all over Russia. The programme includes the discussion of three points, namely: