The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-02-11
SIGNAL OF DISTRESS.

The Finnish residents OF Astoria dt
not look with much favor on the prom
Used reforms Of the czar of Russia. OF
whom they are subjects. His procla,
lmation pledging certain reforms is a
Iconfession of fear. II comes as re,
sponse to the worlds indignation, as
voiced by the leading newspapers OF
the different countries. at the blind.
ness and arrogance of himself and his
ministers. The loudest note in this
chorus of condemnation is sounded
in the capital of his ally. France. While
the newspapers which are the recog.
nized organs of the various govern
ments are cautious in their criticisms,
the press which is free from govern.
mental surveillance is emphatic in its
denunciation. No newspaper of con,
sequence in any American city Is 50
outspoken in its condemnation of the
czar as are many of the influential
journals of Paris. No ATTEMPT to
curb them has been made by the
Rouvier cabinet. Not a word of warn.
ing or remonstrance, so far as the
world has heard, has been sent to the
editors by Foreign Minister Delcasse.
The probability is that the warning
would not be Needed If 1t had been
sent. Russia has never offered greater
provocation for the indignation of the
world.
1t will be noticed that the cars
pledges are vague. They touch only
few of the grievances of the Russian
people. and these few are only the
minor ones. Even on these points II
the word of promise be intended tol
be kept. which many of Astoria's To-
cal Finnish residents do not believe,
it will probably be kept only to tn,
ear and broken TO the hope. There is |
a significance in the circumstance, |
however. that promises of any sort are
made, or that any kind Of an answer
is given by the czar to the peoples ap.
peal except by the mouth of his can.
non. The old paternal tone is stimuli
ated in the proclamation, but 1t is not
calculated to deceive any persons
any longer.
The authorities assert that the dis
at st. Petersburg are end
ed. Very likely this is correct. All
is quiet along the Neva. Nicholas 100.-
BOO troops have made a solitude in St.
and they call 1t peace. But
the area Of the uprising is extending.
Moscow, Riga, Saratoff, Sevastapool,
Odessa and other cities in the czar's
realm are disturbed. Premonitions of
IN outbreak are seen in various towns
n Poland In Helsingfore FinlanIs
principal city, there has been a col
ision between the populace and the
soldiers. England too, through its
at ST. Petersburg, has de-
handed an explanation of that part
4 the czar's proclamation which lays
he blame for the uprising on Great |
Britain and Japan. Toxic is proclaim
ng that Japan in the war against Rus
ian autocracy is fighting the Rus
ian populaces battle. Burke de.
Jared in parliament that Washington
yas battleing for the liberties of the
.rittish masses, and he was vindicat-
d by the reforms which came in Eng. ,
md after the Americans had won
heir independence. 1,
BY one OF the fateful ironies of polit- /
IS the two nations which figure as ,
he most resolute enemies OF the Rus /
Ian government are, through this very 9
the most powerful al '
es of the Russian people. The stars
! their courses are fighting against
le czar and his councillors. Absolute
I'm has not yet said it's last word, II
ny may not for years or decades to y
ome, but blows have been dealt which
ill count for liberty. Even In Rus :
Ia revolutions do not go backward.
he outbreak of the populace may be
1ecked, but it is not dead, only sleep
lg.