The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-19
WILL MAKE 1T PLAIN.
Popular Representatives VIII Tell the
Gar a Few Truths.


St Petersburg, Nov. 1s.-Today may
mark a red letter in the Russian cal
endar- About a hundred representa-
dveS of provincial Zemstovs assembled
privately at 2 O'Clock this afternoon
with the avowed purpose of presenting
to Emperor Mich olas, through Interior
Minister -Mirisky, a truthful
picture of the International conditions
of Russia, coupled with recommended
tons pointing out in plain terms the
necessity for calling legally empow-
cred constituent assembly to have a
direct voice in the government. The
word Constitution" however. will be
carefully avoided. The liberals have
been greatly excited by the develop
ments of the last few days. The meet
ing was to be held at the Duma, or
city hall. but at the last moment Off
cial auspices were refused, the en-
peror Withdrawing his consent Many
of the Zemstvos representatives at
tribute the emperor'S attitude pri-
marily to the influence of Grand Duke
SergiuS, Mr.. PebedonoStsef, the pro-
curator-general of the holy synod, and
NJ. Sassonoff. a member of the council
OF the empire, and indirectly to such
reacuonaries as NJ. Merchersky
Strumer and Suchinsky. The latter
two formerly were the late Interior
Minister Won Plehve's assistants who
were promoted to the council of the
empire When Prince SviatopoIk-
Mfrislzy dispensed with their services
the spectre of constitution was sue
ceSsfully raised, according to their
views They were not disposed to criti-
cize Prince Sviatopolk-M irisky, whose
good intentions they do not question
They believe he is powerless, but new
ertheless they express disappointment
at the fact that he yielded. Prince
Observation-Disclosures friends. however,
have another side of the story They
insist that he acted in the sincere con-
viction of what he believed to be the
best interests of Zemstvos develop
ment. They explain that when the
minister began the negotiations, NJ
Shipon and Petrunkavich and Prince
1vom were sent to explain what the
meeting proposed to do and the min
lister found that instead of thirty-four
presidents whom he had invited, about
100 representativ were to be present !
and that they proposed to go much |
farther than their powers authorized. |
sentatives chosen by the Zemstvos to |
present a memorandum to the govern |
ment.
When the emperor declined to |
grant permission, however, Prince |
Mirsky informed the rep
resentatives that although official
was declined they could |
meet privately. police protection being |
once drafted a law for submission to |
the council of the empire authorizing |
the Zemstvos to elect delegates to sit !
in consultative body in connection |
his ministry. This law will be imme- |
diately promulgated in order that the !
Zemstvos at their approaching meet |
Ings in December may choose repre-
sentatfves- Prince Sviato polk-Mirsky' s /
might wreck the prospects for
the future was supported by a /
number of the ZemstvOS representa-
tfveS here, but the majority. although /
moderate in their views, rejected the I
advice of their colleagues as being
simply sop to a whale and entered /
he meeting this afternoon determined 1
10 speak plainly. Their programme
mas q negative and positive side. The
irst consists in the adoption of a sort
Of reducio ad abSurdun argument in
he form of a memorandum in which
hey will attempt to show that the ex-
sting conditions in the empire with
constant unrest and disturbance re-
sultfng in an increase in the revolu-
donary propaganda cannot continue.
The course of Russian history will be
raced to show the ebb and flow of
liberalism and It will be contende
hat the liberal tendency of the gov
which began in the reign
If Alexander II was really checked
after the Polish instruction and only
briefly revived in the days of Loris-
detikof. The positive memorandum
will recommend the calling of con-
;tituent assembly as the best means of
securing a legal expression of the
Tiews of the nation
cations had planned sympathetic dem
,ustration in front of the Duma in. IA
yor of ending the war and calling a
rational assembly but with the place
If meeting of the Zemstvos representa-
i've secret the demonstrations will pro-
1ably not occur.
Demonstration at MOSCOW.
Moscow. Nov. 19-Popular denonstra-
ions occurred here today owing to the
-efusal of the authorities to authorize
IN official meeting of the Zemstvos rep
esentatives at St Petersburg. Crowds
n the streets in front of the palace of
Grand Duke Sergius, governor general
# Moscow, shouted:
Down with the Moscow Gazette" the
,nly newspaper in Russia which is
iercely opposed to the Zemstvos. La
er the crowds voluntarily dispersed
The ZemstTos supporters here tele-
yraphed to the president of the Mos
,ow Zemstvo to make final effort to
induce the government to allow the
Meeting to be held under official aus
1ices-
Petition From Odessa
Odessa. Nov. ia majority of the
.ity councillors have petitioned the gov
to restore the freedom of mum
eipal elections and debates as guaran-
eed under the law of 1870 and also to
suspend the state of siege