The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-23
ZemstVo Memorial VIII be Pre-
 sented by Mrsg
HOPES ARE RUNNING HIGH
Prominent Member Thinks Movement Is Such a Radical Departure That the Emperor Will Refuse to
 Act on the Suggestion.

St. Petersburg, November 22-The final article of the zemstvo memorial, as it will be presented to the emperor is as follows:
 Tn view of the importance and diffi- culty of the internal and external situa- tion through which Russia is passing this informal conference expresses the hope that 1t is the wish of the sov- ereign power to assure freely elected rep resentatiyes of the nation, in order with their cooperation to obtain for the fa- therland an evolution of the state in the direction of establishing new basis of law for mutual cooperation between the imperial authority and the people,"
 The serious work of the zemstvo meet ing being accomplished. the only re- maining questions relating to the aid of the wounded and distressed, many of the members are already leaving for their home. At the last moment the form of the memorial was altered to make it appear an expression of "the hope that 1t is the wish of the emperor to summon a national assembly, with the removal of the idea that the memo rial represented to imperial authority ev-
  practical result of the meeting. as repre- sented by the emperor's response. is rew of all absorbing interest The memorial will be presented to Interior Minister Sviatopolk-Mi tomorrow, and by him personally will be transmitted to the emperor. All Is conjecture as to the outcome. The general idea in government circles, and even of many of those who participated in the meeting Is hat it will be unfavorable, but the whole slit uation is so unprecedented that even the best informed hardly know what to ex- pect
 Prominent Member Talks.
 One of the most prominent members of the zemstvo delegation said to the Asso- ciated Press:
 "The general opinion of my colleagues is the reverse of optimism. Therefore, it is mistake to raise hopes that are doomed probably to disappointment, but hope exists. Probably there will be the usual attempt to temporize. We may not get all, but we should get something. The emperor is kind-hearted and sincerely desirous of helping the people if he be- came convinced where the interests of the people and the government lay. but he is surrounded by influences.
 Ihe court and the imperial family are opposed to anything like the suggestion of constitution. Of only one thing are we certain-Interior Minister Sviatopolk- Mirsky will present the memorial to the emperor. How far, or whether he will indorse 1t at all, Is not yet known, but he will place 1t before his majesty If it costs him his position in the ministry No matter what the immediate result may be, we have gained remarkable victory We have put into concrete form our opinion that the present system in the end must spell ruin or revolution. The emperor knows the character of the men whose names are attached to the memorial. They represent the best blood and hope of the empire. We are not revolutionaries. We do not believe the people are prepared for a republic.
 Support Monarchlal Ideal.
 We support the monarachial ideal, but we believe 1t must be a constitutional monarchy, and that the emperor must choose between the moderate programme we offer, or even revolution. If there is no result now, we will continue the work of agitation and education. There will be larger and a stronger meeting ne.e year If the meeting is forbidden in St Petersburg, then it will take place in Mos- COW, Kieff or in an open field if neces- sary. The movement will gather head way as time elapses. We have risked our liberties, and we shall not retreat The law which makes agitation for a change in the form of government punishable with penal servitude is still in force We are all amenable, but so long as Prince Sviatopolk- Mirsky Is minister we know we are safe If he falls we take our chances although we feel sure the gov ernment would not dare to reverse the policies of liberalism which are receiv- ing such an impetus since von Plehve's death. The moment is propitious for con- sessions. The government is in a difficult position and needs the support and sym- pathy of the people.
 T believe something at least will be granted. A free press would be the great est step short of calling a national assero bly,. If only the A. B. C.'s of the pro- gramme are conceded the rest of the alphabet, will inevitably be drawn in their wake"
 To Be Submitted Separately.
 Todays meeting discussed and passed resolutions which will be submitted sep- arately to Emperor Nicholas, through Minister Sviatopolk- Mirsky praying. for the abolition of the state of siege exist ing in many cities of Russia for am- nesty to all prisoners punished by ad- minis trative processes without trial by
 
 able treatment of the question of pri- mary schools the necessity for which has hitherto not been recognized or ad- mitted by the authorities who, it is claimed, do everything to check and i'm pede primary education; and for more humane method of enforcing partial mobilization. is pointed out that if the military authorities would consult with the minister much unnecessary harsh ness and resulting disturbance would be avoided.
 The questions of the relief of the fam flies of reservists and Red Cross work will be disposed of tomorrow, when the conference will disperse.
 Many Not in Sympathy.
 The idea of submitting the programme to the district zemstvos was abandoned as all of them are subject to the control of the marshals of the nobility, many os whom are not In sympathy with liberal- ism. and a check might be risked as ~ams future minister of the interior mish5t