New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-18
RUssIAs INTERNAL PROBLEMS.

The killing of General Bobrikof-he died of
his wounds yesterday-attracts renewed atten-
ton 70 the domestic troubles and problems Of
the Russian Empire. Poland is. of course, an
old story. So is nihilism. We have heard
much, too, in recent years about the troubles
with the Jews and with the Armenians Nor
has Finland been silent. The world has rung
with its protests against being "Russianized"
In the face of repeated promises that its ma
tonal integrity would be respected. Now, for
the first time, appear symptoms OF revolution
airy violence in the latter country. which has
for century been the most peaceful in the
world, and which men have supposed would
suffer in silence TO the end We expressed yes
terday the thought and the hope that this
assassination might prove to be n sporadic and
individual crime, not at all 10 be charged
against the whole Finnish people. Apparently
Russia takes that view Of it, for in an "authori-
tative" statement a St Petersburg told
that 'the malcontents in Finland comprise
hardly one-seventh Of the population. The
''mass of the Firms are content" Yet with
strange irony the same utterance adds that the
Emperor will probably decide against the con
vocation of the Finnish Diet, $50 that the peO-
pile Of Finland shall be compelled 10 suffer by
"Schaumann's crime" That is to say, the
people of Finland are innocent of the crime, but
be easy TO devise a policy better calculated to
destroy the loyalty and contentment which
Russians say prevail among the Films.
There is widespread impression that such
Russian estimates OF Finnish affection are too
optimistic, and that in fact, the Firms are al
most at the point Of general rebellion, and
would probably come TO that point If the time
seemed oppOrtune. 1t is well known, too, from
official Russian documents, that for several
years past the army and navy have been fields
Of successful revolutionary propa ganda. Revo-
lutiOnist clubs have been formed among the
soldiers, even among officers and revolutionary
papers and tracts have been widely distributed.
SO serious has this state Of affairs become that
the Minister for War has been compelled again
and again to call the attention of the command
ing generals to it and TO urge upon them the
taking Of extreme measures for its correction.
1t might be extravagant TO say that Russia is
honeycOmbed with treason. 1t is we'll within
bounds TO say that there are several influential
revolutionary agencies actively at work which
take for their motto that the Cars emergency
Is their opportunity. The imperial government
is now face to face with an unpleasant emer-
gency in Eastern Asia, and it is ominOus that
at this very time these disaffected elements
are redoubling their hostile efforts. IT is posi-
bic that successful foreign might have
aroused the patrl0tlc enthusiasm or the people
and have allayed incipient treason. 1t seems
certain that the unsuccessful campaign in Asia,
thus far, has increased discomfort and provoked
still further and more open disaffectlon.
We cannot regard such condition and such
tendencies with complacence There are, per-
haps. those who look for n revolution in Rus
STA with light hearted desire. We cannot agree
with them. Beyond doubt it would be desira-
bic, from American point of view, for the
Russian system Of government to be radically
reformed. 1t would be gratifying to see such a
liberal constitution granted as would allay dis
content, abate grievances and place Russia in
/ line with the most progressive countries of the
! world. We believe that would be best for Rus
/ STA. But the spectacle OF so vast and populous
an empire. containing such unreasonable po-
tentiality OF elementary passion, conyulsed with
intestine war or seething in the melting pot of
revolution, is appalling TO contemplate even in
imagination. The world may well pray to be
spared it. That IL might be brought to pass
| is not to be denied. There may be real and
acute danger of it. That IT is inevitable or nee
essary we cannot be persuaded. 1t must bs