The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-13
GEAR WITH THE PEOPLE
Declares for Land Parliament form
to Be Pushed.

st. Petersburg, Feb. l3.-The ne vs.
that Emperor Nicholas has Endorsed the
scheme for the revival Of the zemsky
tabor, or ancient land parliament,
which the old emperor convoked in
times Of stress, has spread thru the city
and created intense satisfaction among
the liberal classes.
Naturally there is some skepticis,n
whether the government intends frank
ly to take the step, but the general ver-
dict is that if the emperor has sue
ceeded in shaking off reactionary infu
ences and now proceeds in good faith
to summon the Zemsky tabor, he will
rally to his support the moderate lib
erals and perhaps arouse a wave of
genuine enthusiasm in the country. The
liberals are convinced that a meeting
of such body must be followed by re-
forms.
Labor Inquiry.
The emperor's creation of a Joint
commission Of employers and workmen,
to be chosen by Themselves, to investi-
gate the charges of discomfort among
the laborers, has made an exceedingly
good impression. The imperial decree
! reposes the presidency Of the body in
Senator Chidlovskl, a member of the
council Of the empire, and instructs the
committee to ascertain Immediately the
cause of discomfort Of st. Petersburg g
workmen and devise measures to pro-
vent such discomfort in the future.
Czar's Talk with Count Tolstoy.
The czar's intentions with regard to
a land parliament were announced to
Count Leo Deonvitch Tolstoy, son of
| the famous author. The car said to
the count:
ct am not opposed to a zemsky "a
Dor. On the contrary, I believe it nee
essary.'
Later Count Tolstoy, in an interview
said:
His majesty summoned me after having
received a memorial which I addressed
to the throne, exposing the present situa
ton in the country and humbly expressing
the opinion that the interest Of the mon
arch and the nation called for the remova
of the wall raised up by the bureaucrac.
| between them, the urgent need Of devils
ing means for enabling the sovereign t.
hear the voice Of the people and recon-
mending the cOnvOcation of a zemsky "a.
Dor.
His majesty assured me that PERSONAL,
he was not opposed to its convocation
| but on the contrary believed 1T necessary
The whole question is now greatly simpli
fed and resolves itself to a discussion
as to when is the most opportune moment
I am not at liberty to relate the EN-
perors views on the subject, but you ma
announce to the American people that tn
delay will be only such is strictly nee
essary for the introduction Of an innova
ton Of such magnitude. The great thin
is that the emperor is in favor Of the zem
sky tabor. This dispels the legends, oh
tanning currently abroad and at home, tina
the sovereign mistrusts the people and !
absolutely opposed to the idea of a repre-
sentative national assembly.
The legends have caused immense harr
and have sown suspicion and disconter
among the people, leading to unrest an
agitation and aggravating labor move
ments; whereas, if Russians only under
stood the situation, they would refrai
from rendering the task Of the reforme
we'll nigh impossible.
None the less, I am optimistic, and be
lieve we shall succeed after all in bringin
the war to atisfactory conclusion. The
everything will resume it's natural cours
and reforms, including national represer
tation, will be introduced on a SCUM
basis.
, Count Tolstoy does not believe tn
present labor movement will assum
critical proportions. He thinks a solu
tlon OF the difficulty would be materia
ly assisted if representatives Of master
3 and men could see the emperor.