The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-24
AUTOCRACY HANGS
IN THE BALANCE
Cars Course with Regard to
Zemstvos Action Freighted
with Possibilities.

St. Petersburg, Nov. 24-The meet
ing of the zemstvos is at an end, and
the members have dispersed to their
homes. They are leaving in high spirits,
confident that, no matter what the I'M
mediate results, the days Nov. 10 to ~
will mark a turning point in Russian
history.
At Tuesday night g joint meeting of
editors and literary men and the zem-
stvos, the greatest enthusiasm prevailed,
and the fullest support was pledged
to the program adopted. Interior Min
lister Sviatopolk- Mirsky has informed
the zemstvoists that he will lay the
peror, and while he made no promises
regarding his personal recommends
tions, the zemstvoists are satisfied that
the prince will not leave the emperor
in the dark regarding the breadth,
strength and import Of the movement.
Gear Disapproves.
There is an intimation that the en-
peror has already been advised of the
action of the meeting, and has expressed
himself as unfavorable to it. " =. 81,
According to story. which is told
with much eircumstantiality, Mr.. Pc.
bledonostseff, the procurer general Of
the holy synod informed the, emperor
that in his opinion: ,Jautocracy had
reached the parting of the ways There
was no middle course. He must hold
firmly to the old regime or be prepared
to grant constitution. Thereupon,
lily council, at which opinion practically
was united against yielding an iota.
The young empress, when asked for
her view, is said to have replied briefly:
~ do not wish to see my son blown
up"
Such stories may have little founda-
ton.
Prominent members of the municipal
of representatives of all the principal
| cities of Russia, in order that the
municipalities may take action in sup
! port of the representatives of the rural
population. Authorization for such a
meeting will be asked. If refused, the
meeting will be held privately.
Justice for Editors. il"
Prince Sviatopolk- Mirsky has issued
instructions forbidding the arrest OF
newspapermen for articles printed in
the newspapers.
Interior Minister Sviatopolk- Mirsky
went to Tsarskoe Selo today to present
the Zemstvos memorial to Emperor
Nicholas. The situation is extremely
| delicate.
| Interior Minister Attacked.
Prince Mestchersky, editor of the
Grashdanin, who is head of the reac.
ttionary press, this morning attacked
for his liberal tendencies that Prince
Sviatopolk- Mirsky for the first time
since he assumed the ministry ordered
the confscation Of the issue. In the
strength of the influences behind such
an attack lies the real significance of
| prince Nest oh
From the opposite direction the
Nasha Ziesn (Our Life), a new radi
cal paper, authorized by Minister Svi
atopolk- Mirsky, INDUCED in direct at
tack on the emperor with the result thai
the minister. ordered the suspension Of
the publication. - -
Weapon for Reactionists.
The action of this paper is considered
to be very unfortunate as it places
powerful, weapon in the hands Of Primo,
Syiatopolk- Mirsk;y's enemies. Man,
of the minister $ friends are inclined
now to believe that the zemstvoist
went too far and have ieopardized tn
! position Of their best friends. 2se s..
Prince Ukhtomsky,: editor of tn
Yiedomosti, said to the Associate,
! "The duty of all friends of a liberia
ES%9 K HpR2d and sgstan nd pRi
way: His retirement would be a grea
} misfortune ~.
J There was some talk this Afternoon
} Of an offer on the part of the govern
ment to. compromise with the ZEN
: stvoists by giving the zemstvos vote
the lawmaking body. The proposition
is to elect two members Of each ZEN
stvo to sit in the council and partici
pate in it's deliberations, but not t
vote. Such a plan it is pointed out
while not giving the zemstvos q shar
| sentation Of the views of the province
. on all laws enacted. g,x,s-s.s5 s.