New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-14
RUSSIA'S INNER CRISIS.
4 FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.
Strong Liberal Increment Meets
Determined Opposition.

politics A new. broad and liberal movement
seems not only under way, but gaining mo-
rnentum daily: and the best feature of it is that
# is entirely divorced from any radical revolu-
tionary propaganda. Prince Sviatopolk1 1Mirsky
the Minister Of the Interior has given impetus to
the movement. but has done against the most
powerful influences. and behind the scenes Bit
fer struggle is going on for imperial support. In
the coming week the first test of strength is
likely to occur, the result OF which may mean
much for the history of Russia
The policy Of reaction, which has grown
steadily since the accession of Alexander II,
seemed suddenly to lose its main bulwark when
Minister Plehve fell. With the advent of Prince
sviatopolk- Mirsky and his frank appeal for
policy of mutual confidence between govern
ment and people tremendous Liberal rebound
began. raising perhaps unjustifably, high hopes
and aspirations. An American, enjoying abso-
Lutte political freedom. can hardly appreciate
the full significance of the changes which have
b.en made under Prince Sviatopolk- -Mirsky in
q land OF absolutism.
SOME RECENT NOTIFICATIONS.
The Russian policy regards Finland if not
reversed has been greatly modified and the
Finnish national Diet will meet next month
Only yesterday prominent Finlanders who were
exiled under the Plehve rule received perrnis-
sion TO return TO their own country, or to go
abroad If they desired TO do The oppressive
activity of the police through the empire has
been largely relaxed; banishment by admins
trative order has been abolished; hundreds OF
political prisoners exiled to Siberia have been
recalled: the Jews have received assurances OF
The dawning Of a brighter day; the doors have
been thrown open at two of the biggest trials
proceeding in Russia 0he Schaumann treason
trial and the Jewish trial at GomeD and the
method of treating student demonstrations has
been radically changed. persuasion being sub
stituted for Cossack charges.
Nowhere are the changes so marked in
the matter Of the press After years of
the strictest censorship, Russian papers sud
denly found their voices within the last fort
night, and were remarkably plain spoken in
the discussion Of internal affairs and especially
In coznectioz with forthcoming meeting of
zenstvo representatives. Long accounts of the
schaumann and Gomel trials have been printed,
and even particulars of student demonstrations.
with resolutions offered at the Polytechnic IN
ptttute declaring that what was wanted was not
confidence but an end of the war and the i'm
mediate convocation of a national assembly.
Such an unprecedented publication made the
Eussian public rub its eyes in amazement.
REPRESSIvE LAWS IMPERATIVE
Prince Ouktomsky. Editor of the "viedomosti"
said TO The Associated Press to-day that. never
within his memory had Russian newspapers
had such liberties, yet these things had been
done quietly and without public proclamation.
AS rule, he said. no laws had been modified.
For instance. the old press law is still operative.
The machinery of repression exists, but is not
used
In the mean time about the head of Prince
sviatopolk- Mirsky has ragged a storm of opposi-
ton. All the reactionaTy elements including
the solid bureaucracy. have used all the weapons
at hand to undermining him. NJ. Pobiedonostsef
Procurator Of the Holy Synod has warned the
Emperor that, if rumors attributed to court cir
cles are credible. autocracy and orthodoxy will
both be in danger If the present movement is
not stopped promptly. A week ago 1t was actu-
ally believed that Prince Sviatopolk- Mirslxy had
been overthrown, but subsequent DEVELOPMENTS
proved the contrary. Nevertheless his enemies
persistently keep reports afoat that the health
Of the Minister Of the Interior is bad. and that
the nature of the campaign which he is fighting
is enough to shatter the health of a strong man.
NO ANARCHIsTIC TREND.
In the character Of the elements which have
rallied to his support. however. lies Prince
sviatopoIk- -Mirsky's strength. They include
neither radicals nor revOlutionaries hut tba
great mass Of conservatives, liberal minded.
loyal Russians. who believe that the salvation
and progress of the empire lie in larger liberties
but who have a particle of sympathy with
violence or revolution. It is fortunate that
Fflhce Syiatopolk-Mirsky has not attracted the
support Of the radicals. for that would place
powerful weapon IN the hands of his adver-
saries
The enemies Of the Minister Of the Interior are
no" using every means TO postpone the meeting
o. the presidents of thirty-eight provincial
Sen1stvoe. which is scheduled for next Saturday
ana IN the present circumstances some of the
minister's own friends are counselling him to
allow postponement until January, fearing that
too radical expression Of views in the agitation
raised may furnish too much ammunition for
ths opposition NJ Shpoff president of the Mos
COW zemstvo. who viii preside at the meeting.
idVors this temporizing policy. 1t is even re-
ported that Prince SviatopollI- Mrslxy is waver-
ihE though his friends declare that this is un
true
EMPEROR SOON TO DECIDE QUESTION.
Ihe whole question viii be decided bv the
emperor early In the week. Some OF the presi
aents already here are excited over the possi-
Diity Of postporenent, saying that if the meet
ing IS formally postponed it will be held surren-
'iuously. Undoubtedly postpone;nent would be