Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-27
Basis for Present Conflict.

Basis for Present Conflict.
II have devoted so much attention to
this branch of the zemstvos work because
I think my American readers will more
readily understand its general character
from this particular example than from a
disquisition on the whole aspect of the
question many elements of which are for
eign to American life and comprehension.
1T Is demOnstrable that the conflict now
proceeding in Russia Is nowise directed
against the mOnarchical principle. TO Whlch
the people very devoted, but against
the usurpation by the bureaucracy of all
the vital functions of the nation.
THE peasants have come to believe that
their former owners have. since the eman-
cipation of the serfs. been concentrating
offices and influence in their own hands and
have thus practically usurped the power OF
the emperor. 1t Is a common saying among
the peasants that the government STANDS
like a wall between the emperor and MS
people, There is a great deal of truth in
this.
ION the other hand, great alarm is felt
in higher spheres for the safety of the dy-
nasty and this alarm Is due to the m1sun-
derstanding of the fact that the zemstVo'
upon which revolutionary mask mas peeh
foisted as an excuse for repression, IS es-
sentially conservative institution
What M. P1ehve Found Out.
But the reformed zemstvo did not dis
play the slightest change of policy and
the late Minister Plehve found to his as
constituent that the sophisticated body was
lust as resolute an opponent as its prede-
cessor 1t may even be confidently as
serted that had Plehve done the very re-
verse, had he increased the proportion OF
peasants. he would have done much more
to achieve the desired result for the peas
ants would have even gone the length OF
seeking to apply Henry Georges national
ization of land, but they would certainly
have remained Indifferent to political
rights.
IF we are to judge by the rapidity with
which the large land holdings of the mobiles
are passing into the hands of the peasants
! it may be presumed that TINS transfer
would have materially facilitated normal
| evolution unattended by any catastrophe.
The fact is, however, that our government
! fears nothing so much as an agrarfan move
ment
Everything is sacrificed to this self-im-
posed bogie. The people are seduously
kept in state of darkness and Ignorance
the development of the country is impeded
and numbed discomfort is engendered and
the energies of the nation are wasted in
internal strife.
But how is it to be explained that the
zemStvO, composed of noble proprietorS,
with a small admixture of peasants, has re-
manned progressive, liberal and persistently
opposed to the government. 1t is easy to
answer this question by pointing out that
the bureaucratic army with which the
same noble class, but from less independ-
ent, less self-relant members. MOBILES who
have deteriorated in the luxurious enjoy
ment of government offices and emolu-
ments.
ION the other hand. the opposing force is
composed of men of energy, of principle
and of ideals, forming minority of the
mobiles which has realized the banefulness
of bureaucratic routine and sees the sal
walton of Russia in the untrammeled
growth of free institutions.
Main Point in Zemstvo Program.
1.-The main point in this zemstvo program
Is national participation in self-gOvernment.
This will give the peasant a preponderant
vote and at once give rise to agrarian
movement, the peasant seeking to increase
his holdings to the land belonging to other
classes and to the state. OF course, this
can be settled by means of gradual appro
priations, but it is difficult to expect such a
peaceful adjustment. This interesting
cial question is destined to assume unex-
pected forms in Russia.
I'm concluding this review of the Zem-
stvo's role in the political development of
Russia, think it of interest to give few
facts regarding its organization. The zem-
stvo institution exists in thirty-four PROV
inces or governments of European Russia.
The members of the provincial zemstvos are
elected by the members of the district zem-
stvos, which number 31S; the members of
the district bodies are elected by direct vote
in the electoral colleges of each class of the
community.
There also exists a secret organization
which virtually unftes the thirty-four Zem-
stvos in a clandestine national assembly.
Quite recently this organization was treat
ed as illegal and subjected to persecution
by the government but now 1t Is not direct
ly interfered with, although still unrecog-
nized by law.
Besides building and endowing schools.
the Russian zemstvo has developed and or
ganized a number of other public enter
prises. including statistical, veterinary and,
most important of all. national medical serv-
ices. One of the reproaches constantly
brought by the government against the
zemstvo is that 1t employs outsiders-clerks,
statisticians. teachers. physicians and other
representatives of the liberal professions
who form an imposing army of revolution
airy workers
although unenfranchised, they none the
less acquire the character of members Of
the zemstvo and exercise great influence
among the people. In justice 1t must be
said that these men-the third estate, as
they are called-are the personification of
all that is strong, energetic and business
like In Russia. And the failure of the gov
eminent to bring these men to its side is a
great mistake.
To Address Richmond Audience.
Mr. Samuel Gompers, president of the