New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-06
THE AGITATION SPREADS.
LIBERALS FORCE FIGHT.
Russians Likely to insist on Tong'-
BILE Reforms.

Petersburg,
were predicted here and at Moscow for Satur-
day and Sunday did not occur, although the
strike situation here appears distinctly more
threatening The authorities profess great nope
that the imperial rescript will change the attl-
tude of the vast bulk of the workmen, who, II
is said are demanding only economic REFORMS.
but who fall easy victims to the propagahua VI
their revolutionary comrades.
The Russ" and the "Viedomostf did not ap-
pear to-day. The printers are on strike
Notwithstanding the peans of praise with
which some of the Russian papers greet the re-
script hailing it with such expressions as the
dawning OF new era for the Slav race the
Rubicon OF mJstrrst has been crossed; the
moment for which we have been thirstins with
trembling. longing and tortured souls has ar
rived" and 1.-The voice OF the people at last VIII
be heard in the councils of the empire" there is
the greatest diversity OF views as to what is
actually intended. BY evident design all trans
late the imperial rescript a promise OF a real
legislative chamber, and this they intend to
make the fight. Extremists, who demanded
constitution, deride IT deusion and a snare.
but thoughtful liberals. who are convinced that
the autocracy intends to yield as little as pos
sibIe believe they have at last obtained full
crum for their lever. though they believe also
that the Emperor will not be able to control
the organization.
great fight must come regarding M Boul-
gan's committee. on which the Liberals have
already demanded that the zemstvos be repre-
scented. The decision has been taken to keep
the agitation at white heat and to strike while
the iron is hot. In this the Liberals will have
powerful support In high quarters within the
government What they mainly fear Is delay
and the cooling off of the people resulting from
a fanced victory. At the same time they nope
that there will be repetition of terrorism.
The history of the rescript. as it has been
authoritatvely disclosed to The Associated
Press sheds an illuminating light on the strus-
giles for ascendency between the forces OF re-
action and liberalism. which raging about
the Emperor. again compelling one to draw a
parallel with the French Revolution. and i'm
pressing the truth of Prince Bismarck's remark
that everything King Louis XVI did TO preserve
his throne came a day too late.
Substantially the decision to permit repre-
sentatives OF the people to consider In con-
sultative capacity projected reforms and laws
was taken by the Emperor three months ago, on
the advice of the Prince Svatopolk-Mirsky, and
had been incorporated in Clause of the De-
cember manifesto. Prince Sviatopolk-M rskys
heart set upon this scheme, making II
condition Of his continuance in office; but at the
last minute yielding to the pressure OF the re-
Pobiedonostseff, Procurator of the Holy Synod.
il was stricken out, and Prince Sviatopok-
Mirsky resigned. Had Emperor Nicholas then
chung to his original resolution many painful
events since the first OF the year, including the
assassination OF his uncle, might have been
avoided.
The project on much broader lines was again
revived by M YermoloT three weeks ago at the
meeting which began the weekly Cabinet coun-
ellis under the Emperor's presidency. The En-
peror insisted upon preserving the principle or
autocracy and divergent views developed among
the Ministers Between that meeting and Feb
ruary "a the Ministers compromised their diner
ences When 1t was presented the proposition
contained the rescript His majesty. while with
holding his definite approval asked that 1T be
placed In concrete form. This was done In the
intervening week. The text Is believed to be
largely the work of Finance Minister Kokovsen.
In the meantime Prince Mestchersky. the
EDITOR of the "Grashdanin." the reactionary or
gan at the capital. and who always has enjoyed
a large influence at court, drew up draft OF
Friday mornings manifesto as q counterpolse
to the rescript, just Grand Duke Sergius
had prepared the statement which accompanied
the December manifesto. Prince Mestchersky
sent the draft to NJ. Pooiedonostsen who wrote
a letter to the Emperor recommending it The
manifesto signed and issued after midnight
on Thursday without the knowledge of or after
consultation with any OF the Ministers, who
were thunderstruok.
On their arrival at Tsarskoe-Seo on Friday
afternoon the Ministers were relieved when the
Emperor informed them that the manifesto
would not interfere with the rescript. which he
had resolved to sign. The Ministers were so
fearful that some adverse influence might inter-
vene before II could appear in the regular morn
ing edition OF the "Of1cial Messenger OF Sat
urday that 1t made public instantly on their
return to st. Petersburg. and at the same time
the Ministers ordered its publication in special
edition Of the Messenger"