The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-23
GOES NEXT TO THE GEAR
 E- SViatapOlS .MirSky to Pres e. Memorial. LITEe HOPE HELD OUT ZemStvOS Not Optimistic Over Course of Emperor. All Those Who Participated in COn- ference Have Violated the Law But Place Their Faith I'm Minister of the Interior.
 

St. Petersburg, Nov. 22.--The final article of the Zemstvo memorial, as 1t win be presented to the Emperor, is as follows:
 Tn view of the importance and diff fleulty of the internal and external sit- uation through which Russia is pass ing, this informal conference expresses the hope that 1t is the wish of the soy- ereign poHer to summon freely elected representatives of the nation in or- der, with their cooperation, to obtain for tAe Fatherland an evolution of the state in the direction of establishing new basis for law and for mutual co- operation between the imperial author ity and for the people"
 The serious work of the Zemstvos meeting being accomplished, the only remaining questions relating to the aid of the wounded and distressed, many os the members are already leaving for their homes At the last moment the form of the memorial was altered to make 1t appear an expression of 'The | hope that 1t is the wish of the Elm peror to summon a natsenal assembly," With the removal of the iGea that the memorial represented opposition to im- perial authority. every vestige of dis sent vanished.
 win Go to Emperor.
 The practical result of the meeting as represented by the Emperor's re- sponse. is now of all absorbing inter est The memorial will be presented to Interior Minister sviatapolk- -Mirsl<y to- morrow and by him personally will be 1 transmitted to the Emperor. All Is conjecture as to the outcome. The general Idea in Government cir cles and even of many of those who participated In the meeting is that it will be unfavorable, but the whole sit- ustion Is so unprecedented that even the best informed hardly know what to expect.
 One of the most prominent members of the Zemstvo delegation said to the Associated Press:
 'The general opinion of my col- leagues is the reverse of optimism. Therefore, 1t Is a mistake to raise hopes that are doomed probably to disap- l pointment, but hope exists. Probably there will be the usual attempt to tenn | porize. We may not get all, but we should get something. The Emperor is kind hearted and sincerely desirous of helping the people if he became con- vinced where the interests of the peo- l pie and the Government lay, but he Is surrounded by influences
 Opposed at Court.
 ''The court and the imperial family are opposed to anything like the sug- gestion of a constitution. Of only one thing are we certain-Interlor Minister Sviatapolk- -Mirslxy will present the me- morial to the Emperor. How far, or whether he will endorse 1t at all, is not yet known, but he will place 1t before His Majesty if 1t costs him his posi- tion in the Ministry.
 No matter what the immediate re- | ha have pafped re- markable victory. We have put into concrete form our opinion that the l 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 | thought of the empire. We are not revolutionaries We do not believe tie people are prepared for a republic. We support the monarcnial idea, but we believe 1t must be a constitutional monarchy and that the emperor must | choose between the moderate program we offer or eventual revolution.
 of there is no result now we will continue the work of agitation and ed- ucation. There will be a larger and stronger meeting next year. If the meeting, is forbidden in St. Peters burg, then 1t will take place in Mos COW. Kiem or in an open field if neoes- sary. The movement will gather head way as time elapses.
 VIII NJ Retreat.
 We have risked our liberties and we shall mt retreat. The law which makes agitation for a cnange in the form of government punishable with penal servitude is still fin force.
 we are all amenable. but so long as Prince svlatopolk -Mirsky is minis ter we know we are safe. If he fails, we take our chances, although we feel sure the government would not dare to re- verse the policies of liberalism which are receiving such an impetus since Won PlehYe's death.
 "Tne moment is propitious for conces- sions. The government is in difficult position and needs the support and sympathy of the people. believe | something at least will be granted. A free press would be the greatest step snort of calling a national assem- bly, If only the B Cc of the pro- gram are conceded the rest of the al- phabet will inevitably be drawn in their wake"
 The Resolution Passed.
 Todsv's meeting discussed and pass cd resolutions which will be submitted separately to Emperor Nicholas through Minister Sviatopolk Mirsky, praying for the abolition of the state Of siege existing in many cities of Russia; for amnesty to all prisoners punished by adroiDistration processes without trial by ordinary process of law; for more favorable treatment of the questian of primary schools the necessity for S,bJcI has hitherto not been recognized or adnnitted by the authorities, who, 1t is claimed. do everything to check and impede primary education; and for a more humane method of enforcing par '' is pointed out that if the military a,,+borities would consult with the Min ister of the Interior and the Zemstvos. much unnecessary harshness and result lI iIac disturbance would be avoided.
 Tbe questions of the relief of the ..-.tIies of reservists and Red Cross ~o-k will be disposed of tomorrow. '.Sen wSt the conference will disperse.
 The idea of submitting the program 4o tbe distinct Zenmstvos was abandon
 s .. all of them are subject to the