The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-09-08

ette6-of DureauCratS anu tuoSo W."
upon them II would be q blessing TO tne
empire at large II 81. Petersburg shouiu
be swept away. No political REFORM WI,
ever emanate from this artificial oapital
created by Peter tho Great. II mas an
atmosphere OF It's own, an atmosphere 90
tainted with corruption that moral disease
passes for normal reotitude. II 10 partly
by reason Of its isolation and its peculiar
standards of public duty that st. Peters,
burg utterly fails to understand the ma
tional sentiment OF revolt against her
throughout the empire. She knows tha1
the spirit of discomfort has risen to O dan
Rerous point, but she still believes that u
can be looslized and perhaps stamped OUT
by repressive measures. At most, she De-
lleyes 1t can be deceived by false reforms
and fooled into aoquiescenoe. The bureau-
Gratis Of St. Petersburg themselves are
deceived BY the rising rebellion OF tne
Russian people. It IL no mob OF tho com
mon people that now threatens the corrupt
autocraoy Of the empire. The emanoipa-
ton Of Russia Ia now the aim and object
In life OF the ablest as we'll as the lowliest
Of her people. There will be no moro
useless street demonstrations, to give OPP
portunity to the authorities to show their
power. Tho campaign Of liberty which
has been entered upon will be long one.
Violence and open insurrection form no
part Of Its earlier stages. 1t Is even nopeo
that these features may be avoided entirely,
although few are sanguine OF complete
success without bloodshed.
The marvel Of the present situation Is
A oHuiaaru ahO1lld
imagine that the reform party would be
satisfied with the empty concessions oon-
tanned in the recent manifesto regarding
national assembly. The actual political
power conferred upon the peoples repre-
sentatives Is nil The moro moderate and
sanguine Of the reformers try to mako the
best Of it by arguing that in practise no
Government will dare oppose the popular
will as expressed by the duma upon i'm
portant questions. They urge further that
with q national legislature once created
its powers are bound to increase and to
become in course OF not too long time
az extensive at least az those Of the German
Reiohstag. They point out also that the
mere permission Of delegates to meet and
to discuss public affairs Is most important
advantage. It legalizes q sort OF Jaoobin
club which, In case Of Government opposi-
ton to all legislative functions, will at least
be available as a central piece Of machinery
for organization purposes In carrying out
plans for gaining moro real political
liberty.
1t cannot be doubted that the autooraoy's
chief weapon In keeping Russia In COM
plete subsection has been the prohibition
Of all forms Of political meetings and all
political discussion. Russia Is vast. and tho
distribution Of popular discomfort over
great area with no power Of Capitalization
has rendered 1t impotent until now.
1t does not follow that the reform party
will quietly accept the empty shell now
offered them without demanding more OF
substance at the outset. They are not,
however, by any means well organized,
and they are not in full agreement among
themselves. Their central committee at
Moscow represents all shades Of opinion.
They recognize the necessity for harmony
and full cooperation, and there Is no danger
Of serious disagreement among them at the
present stage.
/ made some attempt to test the opinion
Of the peasant and workingmen classes and
speedily gained evidence Of the appalling
political ignorance Of the general populaoe.
I found among peasants near Moscow q
demand for q republic, and I questioned
these would-be republicans.
so you want q republic, like America or
Franoe?"
.Yes, that would be the best thing for
Russia" was the reply.
But how about the Carr
.Oh, we would not interfere with the Little
Father"
"But his autocratic power-what would
become Of that?"
THAT must not be interfered with. That
is part Of Russia itself. We would not
touch that
Still, you want a republioP'
.Yes, a republic and the Little Father
Could anything make palmer the enormity
Of the task Of seeking the political regenera-
ton of Russian Should peace come at
once the evolution Of the reform movement
would be much more rapid But nobody
expects peace. because it is perfectly we'll
understood that the existing regime does
not want it. Peace would bring back moro
than half million men whose hardships
and suflerings during eighteen months Of
useless campaignin have made them bitter
enemies Of the clique Of Adventures who
plunged the country into q war which
threatens to become suicidal. The APP
peals from oommander-in- chief and other
high officers at the front begging the Car
to prolong the war do not represent the
opinion OF the rank and file.
The war party, whose chief concern is
the internal situation, believes that there
is, so to speak, no danger OF peace. They
know that it can come only through Japan's
remuneration Of all her important demands.
and this contingency they regard as q
negligible quantity. They have therefore
made practically no preparations for deal
ing with the internal crisis which would
arise in such an event--a crisis which would
soon threaten the existence Of tn cir regime
II the war goes on, they believe that a con-
tlnuation Of the policy Of alternate repres-
sion and false concessions will enable them
to keep the internal situation in hand.
After the question Of peace or war has
been decided at Portsmouth it will be
possible to speak with some conf dence of
the immediate future Of Russia II the
decision be for war, then the days Of the
autocraoy may be somewhat prolonged
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