The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-23
THE CzAR's REFORM DREAM.

THE CzAR'S REFORM DREAM.
In the exuberanec of his gratitude
to omnipotence on the birth of an
heir, Gar Nicholas was moved to de-
cree many alleged reforms which, on
the face of things, appears the initia-
ton OF new and radical policy. The
salient features of the reform manifes-
to were the abolition OF the knout. tne
remitting OF arrears due to the state
for land purchased by serfs AT the
time of their emancipation, amnesty
to political prisoners and exiles, the
lessening OF penalties for common
law transgressions and the promulga-
tion of policy of mediation toward
distressed Finland
OF all these fair sounding promises,
II is probable that only one-that re-
lating to the knout-will benefit the
people of Russia TO any permanent ex-
tent. The remainder are like the col
chicum which a equity patient takes In
the throes of his paroxyms-the pain
is deadened for the time, only to re-
turn with redoubled severity, for the
very elemental reason that the malady
itself has never been touched. Say
that leniency toward political prison
ers will result in the freeing OF hun
dreds and the abbreviating OF thou
sand odd sentences. The institutions
against which these men inveighed
still exist. and the penalties for pro-
test are as rigorous as ever. Open
criticism of the policies or regulations
Of the government is forbidden and
agitation for civic reform is punish
able in various degrees of severity
at the discretion of a mercinary judi
ciary. OF what avail, then, Is the tenn
porary liberation of offenders who. II
they have the courage Of their convic-
tions, will Immediately expose them
selves anew TO the operations OF the
prohlbitive laws?
The remission of the land taxes will
be Of transitory benefit. but how can
the vast body of poverty stricken peas
antry be expected to thrive. wnen
crushing taxes are constantly levied to
maintain internal and foreign poll
cies, and to fatten the most corrupt
system of government In the world?
The Finnish amelioration, likewise
will amount to little in the end, since
the only thing the films desire and
the one thing which Russia will never
grant, Is absolute independence Of st.
and the privilege OF liv-
ing an individual national existence
the czar meant kindly in
his recent ukase, but unless he intends
10 make the administration of the an
aesthetic only the preliminary to an
heroic operation which will cure the
disease, the Russian proletariat will
have little cause for jubilation over
he wisdom Of the stork.
The abolition Of the knout is the
me notably hopeful phase of the proc
amation. The late DR.. Benjamin How
lrd who visited Russia several years
lgo and who made a thorough study
# the use of this terrible implement
II punishment, gives a detailed de-
of its operation which is
90 repugnant for unexpurgated pub
lcation. It's use in the hands Of the
,rutal public officials is torture Of the
most exquisitely cruel nature. At the
onclusion of a knouting the victim
8 mangled, groaning mass Of raw
esh. Death is preferable to its
rightful administration and even
hose sufficiently hardy to survive its
se, bear deep scars to the day Of their
cath. This one feature Of the current
therefore, will be hailed with
oy, not only by the Russians them
elves, but by every humane person
Tho has followed the trend Of events
l the Muscovite domain.