The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-11-28
In Russia

In Russia
The world is now looking toward Russia with great
interest and expectation. It is hoping that out Of the
depths of despotism there is emerging tendency toward
freer government 1t tendency that has not been man
ifes since the days when Alexander II emancpaed the
serfs That emancipation was great step forward but
unfortunately it followed by i'll drected nihst actv
ly which closed the bowels of in the humane
and caused reactionary movement which has lasted until
now.
When the Great Emancipation instituted the Zemstvo
or local assembly he made possible the recent remarkable
gathering of the provincial representatives. gathering
whose courage and boness has asonshed the world and
the most remarkable in the history of Russia The vac
latng Nicholas first gave permission for the assembling
OF the Zemsvo representatives to meet Then he changed
his mind Then he let the permit stand. Finally he
Noked the permit but said the meeting could be held
officially and in private And well might he hesitate He
remembers, doubtless what Louis XVI of France precp
itaed when he convoked the States General in 1882 He
fears revolution Louis feared it when he called to-
gether for the first time in hundred years. the Third M
tate. The situation of Nicholas is dire that
of Louis but the historic parallel must give him pause.
The People are to the fore.
The who in the Zemstvo the other day are gen
timely representative of the best element of the Russian
people, OF the 1O2 Zemstvo presidents who signed the
memorial to the czars government all elected by the
people, but confirmed by the government. So that this
movement is by government officials close to the people
and against the bureaucratic cotere that surrounds and
controls to large extent, the weakng 1t is the
voice of the People against the voice of military, church
ly and courty cabal.
Note the introduction to the memorial Though
couched in conservative words is almost like Decara
ton of Independence:
"IN ORDER TO SECURE THE PROPER DEvEL-
OPMENT OF THE LIFE OF THE STATE AND THE
PEOPLE, IT IS IMPERATIVELY NECESSARY THAT
THERE BE REGULAR PARTICIPATION OF NATION
AL REPRESENTATIVES,, SITTING AS AN ESPEC-
TALLY ELECTED BODY, TO MAKE LAWS, REGU-
LATE THE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE, AND
CONTROL THE LEGALITY OF THE ACTIONS OF
THE ADMINISTRATIONS
What do these words spell'
Constitutional government and nothing less.
There is word about constitution but he who
may read between the lines Freedom from arrest and
punishment without trial. freedom Of speech and press
and larger of local self government de-
manded. Why, with these reforms Russia would not be
Russia
Will the car heed the memorial and grant part
of the petition? He must. Else revolution in bloody
deuge Press dispatches say it is rumored cat cour'
that the is much dspleased Possibly. Certain it is
that the court is dispeased. Russian liberals however,
believe that the will act in accordance with the wishes
of his people and they hail the dawn of Russian freedom
They right The pressure too great to be resisted
But the reforms will gradually. And is better
1t will be evolution, not revolution.
You cannot make government to order. There must
be fitness. The government must fit the people and the
people must fit the government 1t must be remembered
that government is the evolution Of centuries
evolution of the people we'll government principles.
Free governments rest manhood suffrage Now, the
Muzhik is the unit of the Russian people, He is admirable
in many ways With centuries of semibarbarism behind
him. he is strong physically He reverent toward church
and state He is patient and honest But he woeully
ignorant Popular education must precede government
participation The Russian peasant is not yet ready for
The full measure of free institutions. It would be great
mistake-amos crimeto put the ballot into his hands
mp together.
is gratifying to note the courage of the peoples rep
resentatives in this forward movement-a liberalism
grown strong that dare not oppose The things
spoken on the house top in this petition the
said with fear and trembling heretofore Brave refomers
back from Siberian exile spoke freely before the
Nnpstvo ahlast mon in ssseuh1v vyhe counsn