New-York tribune., 1905-11-05

,.,.o,+. ,,rherinp nearly 1OO000,0 00G out of
a nonuIat;on of about 13O 600. would become
the TOOLS and, probably stu, the Flcehns
and the prey. of the people of the cities anu
towns who alone are clamoring FOR seh-goFeih-
ment. and to whom the revolutionary risinss
now in progress in Russia are almost exclusively
confined No one can foreteil what is going to
happen in Russia in the next ten years. and IN
view OF the peculiar characteristics OF the Sia-
vonic races it is to be feared that many po-
litical cataclysm viii take place before the peo-
pie of Russia finally settle down to the full and
quiet enjoyment of the advantages of consti-
tutional government it is understood in Eng
land and America.
Among the countries that can boast of having
receved their constitutions by the voluntary
concession of the crown japan and Hun
gary Japan's constitution, which is of the
most modern and liberal description, was pro-
mulgated in February 1889. when the MlKado
voluntarily surrendered his autocracy Daseo
upon the popular belief in his sacred attriputes
and semi-divine origin, to his subjects Ihis
was done without any demand whatsoever on
their part. 1t not even asked Tor In the
native press nor from the platform. 1t was
movement wholly of his own initiative. made, OF
corrse after due consultation with the most
trusted statesmen Of his empire, and mas hao
the effect which he intended, namely, OF con-
tributing to the prestige of the nation ABROAD
and TO the development of the progress and en-
lightenment as well of the industrial COM
mercial and intellectual activity, of the people.
True there had been a revolution in Japan some
twenty years previously. But it was reVolu-
ton which had for its object, not the conquest
of any rights of self-government, but the resto-
ration to the throne OF the autocrauc temporal
mower of which it had been robbed by the
usurpati of the Shotgun Japan is an amazing
country. difficult ever of comprehension TO
the foreigner, especially if he does not happen
to have resided for some length of time in the
Orient But one of the most surprising things
in its history of the last half century has been
the popular revolution in favor Of the restora-
ton of the most absolute despotism to the EN-
peror and then the latter's unasked for con-
cesson to his subjects twenty years later of
most liberal constitution, with legislative forms
of government and the surrender of his autoc-
racy to the people
Hungary owes her present constitution to
sentiment of gratitude on the part of Emperor
Francis Joseph for her loyalty and her services
in the war with Prussia in 1866 Not that the
constitution really dates from 1867. when Fran
els Joseph to maintain its integrity unim-
paired and crowned as King of the Mag
vars 1t is much older. But it that
casion that the autonomy which had been for
feited at the time of the great insurrection of
1S4S-'49 restored and the ancient constitu-
tion recalled into force, with many additions ana
notifications rendered necessary by modern con-
ditions. The fact, however. remains that the
charter of 1867, which has ever since governed
the relations between the -wo moieties of the
dual empire was voluntary act on the part OF
Emperor Francis Joseph and recognition Of
the loyalty of the Magyars, If not to Austria, at
any rate to the House of Hapsburg
No credence need be accorded for pne moment
to the dispatches from Europe which intimate
that the Kaiser has offered to place his troops
at the disposal of the Car for the restoration
of order in his domains. and there is little or no
prospect of any armed intervention on the part
of Germany in Russia, in behalf of Nicholas II
Emperor William is far too clever monarch
and much too deeply veTsed in the history OF
Europe during the last hundred years not TO
know that the interference of nation in
the internal affairs of another particularly when
questions of popular rights and issues between
the crown and the people are involved, gives rise
TO a bitterness and to animcsity which it
takes generations upon generations to allay
The Magyars have long since become reconciled
to Emperor Francis Joseph, and all grudges
against him in connection with the sanguinary
revolution of 1S4S-'49 have been relegated to
the deepest oblivion But they have never for
gotten nor forgiven Russia for having on that
occasion marched her troops into Hungary for
the purpose of helping Austria TO restore order.
ciled and quarrel again with the Austrian. But
even in the moment when his irritation against
the Austrian is the most acute il can never
compare for one moment with the intense hatred
which he entertains for everything Russian. In
Germany much of the Ill will which prevails
against Prussia In Wurtemberg, Baden and in
the other federal states of the empire dates
back to ffty-six and ffty-seven years ago. when
Prussia marched her troops into these various
petty sovereignties in order to assist the rulers
In resisting the demands Of the people for a