New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-02
AUTOCRATS STAND FIRM.
PEOPLES PLEA DENIED
Gear Discussing Plan for an ASSEM-
bL0 Without P07Cer.

st. Petersburg March 2.-The great ana over
shadowing question for Russians that Oh grant
ing the people voice in the government re-
mains undecided at Tsarskoe-Selo Emperor
Nicholas has not yet given the final word
In view of many conflicting statements print
ed abroad The Associated Press is authorized
to make the above definite announcement. At
the Same time it can be stated that the recent
developments in Russia, which have brought
the social, economic and educational life of the
empire almost to a standstill. have left the EN-
peror no illusions regarding the strength Of the
popular demand for something in the nature or
constitutional government. In addition to the
addresses voted by the zemstvos. dounas' edu-
cationaI and other bodies, he has received thou
sands of private memorials.
In consultation with his advisers the Emperor
has displayed sympathy with the popular aspi-
rations and expressed concurrence in the opin-
ion that something must be done to bridge the
ohasm between himself and the people. Since
the death of Grand Duke Sergius some OF the an
fiuences at court which formerly were antagon-
,stio take the same view Nevertheless, the
grand ducal party a whole still holds out
yielding nothing
The Ministers with whom the Emperor mas
been discussing the problem since the pegh-
ming OF the Cabinet Councils sessions three
weeks ago, entertain divergent opinions put
two propositions have been definitely reJecleu
First a constitutional monarchical rule, baseo
on Western models, with parliament to frame
laws and control the budget, and, second, the
converting Of the zemsky sober. The former
proposition has been rejected on the ground
that Russia is not yet ripe for constitutional
government, and the second because the zemsky
sober is now an anachronism.
7, substance. the proposition which the En-
he
ministers is the establishment of national as
sernbly based on direct class representation to
sit IN a consultative capacity and propose laws
in other words, yielding the form while retain
ing the essence Of autocracy Most of the Min
listers have Joined in expressing the opinion to
his majesty that such a measure, coupled with
the reforms enunciated in the manifesto OF De-
cember %, 1904, guaranteeing equality before
the law responsibility OF officials and practical
freedom Of the press. viii meet the present sit
uation. All, however. recognize, and so advise
his majesty that such solution can be only
temporary. An assembly Of this kind would be
an anomaly in the Russian government and
would have to give way soon to a regular par
Hamentary body This fact is recognized by
the Liberals whom the proposed form would
not satisfy, but who are convinced that this
would be a forward step, and who would hail it
as a practical victory for future constitutional
government.
NJ. Witte. President OF the Council of Min
listers whose position is not yet clearly defined,
but who is understood to hold that the country
is not yet prepared for constitution, is said to
have told the Emperor bluntly that no retreat is
possible after a step has once been taken. The
ultimate consequences rather than the i'm
mediate step. apparently, make the Emperor
pause. 1t is possible that he may announce his
decision at the meeting OF the Cabinet Council
on Friday night; but a Minister last night was
not sanguine that a decision would be reached.