The Saint Paul globe., 1904-12-27
GEAR PUTS FORTH UKASE ON REFORM
Continued From First Page

ures in their prescribed order The
committee has also to report to us as
to the consequent progress of the elab-
grafton of the matters mentioned
Sums Up Conditions
The following communication was
issued by the government early this
morning:
In the autumn of this year there
was a meeting in st. Petersburg of
several zemstvos of the various gov
ernments, who expressed a series of
desires concerning what were, in their
opinion, indispensable reforms in the
interior government of the empire.
These desires were made the subjects
of action by members of various other
assemblies, which met for the purpose
and also, knowing the provisions of
law, were considered at the delibera-
tlons of certain town councils and
Zemstvos.
Thus, by the action of people, who
endeavored to introduce discord into
public and state life, excitement arose
In the minds ofseertain sections of So
ciety chiefly among impressionable
youths. In certain towns of the empire
there occurred a series of noisy meet
1ngs, which demanded the presentation
to the government of certain demands
Which were inadmissible in the face
OF the sacred foundations of the laws
of the empire and the indestructible
elements. which form the government.
These sections of the public made
street demonstrations in bands and
icJf0 l, ,0ls 4
ties.
For Enemies Advantage
Such movements against the exist
Ing. order Of government which have
fallen adversely upon the bulk of the
Russian people, who are loyal to the
everlasting foundations of the existing
government, gave to the excitement
above referred to an undeserved I'M
portance of a general tendency. The
Russian people involved in this move
ment, forgetful of the grievous years
which has fallen to the lot of Russia,
blinded by chimerical hopes of profits
which they expect from a radical
change in the ancient foundations of
the Russian state and life and not
knowing what they were doing, acted
to the advantage not of the country
but on its enemies"
Now the duty of the government is
to preserve order in the state and pro-
tect the public confidence from all
change in the true course of internal
life. Therefore destruction of order
and peace and all meetings of an anti
government character must and will be
stopped by all legal means at the dis
position of the authorities, and those
concerned in those disorders, especially
persons employed in the government
service, will be held responsible.
'Zemstvo and town statutes and ev-
cry form Of institution or company
must not go beyond the limit provided
for them and must not concern them
selves in questions in the considera-
tions of which they have no legal au-
thority. Presidents of public meetings
who allow discussion to take place of
matters not in their province or on
questions of general disturbance are
liable under the laws, and organs Of
the press with the responsibility which
rests upon them must introduce the
necessary calming effect upon public
minds, which deviated in recent times
from it's proper course.''
Papers Are Pleased
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec 27-The
reform ukase of Emperor Nicholas is
given decidedly favorable reception
by the press. The Novoe vremya says:
?, 1--WE firmly believe and hope this will
realize all the best expectations of the
most liberal-minded Russians, and
hope and believe also that it means the
dawning of a better day and bringing
more light and warmth and life into
national existence throughout the en-
pire."
Taking the provisions of the ukase
separately, the Novoe Vremya says the
appointment of ministers into commit
tees for dealing with the several prob
lens involved will form connecting
link in the government between the
people and the sovereign, and that it
believes the ministers together will be
able to work more effectively. Com
mon counsel" the paper says, will dis
sipate much misunderstanding and
friction heretofore existing between de-
partmental chiefs The Novoe Vremya
characterizes the ukase as a strong and
favorable answer to the claims of lib
eralism, and says it is glad to see so
much space and interest devoted to the
peasant question. which undoubtedly is
one of the most serious problems of
national life.
The Novosti and the Russ comment
in a similar tone, asserting that the
great problems of national life are for
the first time put in fair way of accu-
rate and satisfactory settlement.
Before the Gar Spoke
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 26.-There
seems to be no evidence of
cessation of the agitation in different
parts of the country in favor of liberal
reforms. The situation is most acute
in Moscow, where the university is
closed and the students, the pedagogic
and other societies are in a constant
state of ferment.
1t develops that the social revolution
party in Moscow before the demonstra-
tions of Dec. 18 and Dec. 19 practi-
cally issued a warning condemnfng to
death Grand Duke Sergius and Police
Master Techoff if during those demon
strations there should be a recurrence
of the police brutalities which were
witnessed in ST. Petersburg. Subse-
quently the students decided not only
to cease attending lectures, but to DEM
onstrate. on the occasion of the burial
of the victims of Dec IS and 10 TO ally
themselves with the labor movement
and to take up arms in their own de-