New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-29
THE RUSSIAN CRISIS.


The somewhat extreme action of various local
bodies in Russia in expressing dissatisfac-
ton with the Cars reform proposals is not at
all surprising. Nobody can satisfy everybody,
not even Gear. 1t was foregOne conclusion
that the imperial decree would fail to meet the
demands of some. There are not few In Rus
STA who aim at immediate and entire revolu-
ton. The resolutions adopted at the Moscow
banquet which the police broke up yesterday
morning afford case in point. They call for
a free representative government elected by
universal suffrage That is admirable ideal
at which to aim. One of these days Russia may
attain it; but 1t is entirely too much to expect
at once, and, If it granted, the unfitness of
large part of Russia for it might make it
dubious benefit. Those who have their hearts
set upon so radical a change are OF course,
disappointed at the Cars decree. But it is
thousand pities that they should let their dis
appointment go so far as to imperil the applica-
ton Of the reforms which have been offered.
That, however, is just what they are doing
The government note" to which SO much OBJ
lection is made may have been less tactfuIly
phrased than might wish; but OF It's sound
ness of principle there can be no question
Order is the first law. Governments do not
talk Of reforms to laWbreakers. not even to the
breakers Of unsatisfactory laws. The author
ity Of the law and of the government must first
be established That is what the Russian gov
eminent demands. In resisting that demand
and IN continuing illegal agitation men are
simply postponing the application Of reforms
which are needed, which are within reach and
which would prove of great value to the peo-
pie. For local zemstvo to adjourn sine die
simply because II has been reminded that its
sphere Of legislation is local and not general,
provincial and not imperial is as Illogical as II
would be for the New-York Board of Aldermen
to adjourn because 1t was not permitted to re-
wise and ratfy treaties with foreign countries
Such conduct is an inc cation of ufgtness for
self-government. which greatly strengthens the
hands OF the reactonaries. Indeed so COM
pleteIy are these extremists playing into the
hands OF the reactonaries that we might al
most suspect they were being melted TO II nv
secret agents of the latter!
Without indulging in any Illusions It NAV he
said that the proposals Of the Car are auspicios
or much good. That IS largely because of the
nnuences and agencies under which they are
10 be executed. We said Yesterday that #
would make 4 great difference whether snch
men as Plehve and Pobiedonostseff or Uitta
and Sviatopolk-Mirsky interpreted and onnIied
the decree. Well, we are now told that +ha
whole matter is in the hands of Mr.. Witte who
Is warmly supported by Prince Sviatopolk-
Mlrsky and that he will doubtless prove ma ster
Of the situation. Surely Russian reformor.
should be willing TO trust him. There is M
member Of the Russian government whose ~
nuehce has been more steadily or more ott7-
clehtly Tor progress toward liberal reforms end
toward amehoration of the lot of the neonIe
Applied by him, this scheme Of reforms would
DO much for Russia, more than there wos roo.
son to expect year ago would be done IN +bi.
generation The friends of progress in +bo.
empire should do all in their power to eid bir,
instead Of embarrassing him and raising oh.
stacles in his path oO-