Evening star., 1905-08-31
TALKS At LENGTH
General Trepof on Russian
Conditions.
HIS PERSONAL VIEWS
SAWS RUSSIA OBTAINED ALL SHE
COULD.
No Use to Prolong War Without
Navy-The Internal Con-
ditions.

ST PETERSBURG, August il fer-
sonally 1 am satisfed-thoroughly satls-
fed" was the emphatic response OF zen.
Trepoff, when asked for his opinion OF the
peace conditions. The general, who with
NJ Witte is the man of the hour In RUSSIA
and as assistant minister of The interior Is
more thoroughly in touch with the actual
sentiment and situation throughout the EN-
pire than any other Russian. added Slli
speaking personally, that he considered
Russia by the terms of peace, obtained All
that she could have attained by prolonslnG
the war, especially since without 40 fleet
she would be unable, no matter how Victo-
rious she might be on land, to attack the
Japanese at home or retake the Island or
Sakhalin. 1t was obvious, he continued,
that the Russian plenipotentiarles had
scored q diplomatic success. and he had no
criticism of the terms in any particular.
Speaking further of the effect of peace on
the internal situation Gen. Trepoff main
tanned that the conditions were by no means
serious or critical. The foreign press he
said lis mistaken in supposing that there
is a revolution In Russia. 1t Is true that
in Poland, the Baltic provinces and else
where there have been disorders, and III
Courland the situation is serious. But
there is no revolution. The disorders are
only the sporadic work of revolutonists,
who will be satisfied with nothing but the
overthrow of the state"
The return of the army from Manchuria,
according to Gen. Trepoff, offers no ground
for apprehension.
1t will be necessary for a large part of
the army to remain permanently in the far
east and the homecoming of the other part
will be a matter of many months.
at took year and a half" continued the
general, ito get the present force TO Man
churia. The troops will be equally long in
returning. Naturally, peace made at this
wb II believed n that
they stood on the eve of victory. will cause
bitterness for a moment but this will wear
away under the pleasure of getting home"
The National Assembly
Passing to the subject of the national as
sembly and the coming elections, Gen.
Trepoff said that one of the great causes
of dissatisfaction would soon be removed,
work on the law regulating the right OF
assembly was proceeding and law would
speedily be issuable under which the peo-
pie would be able to meet and discuss the
candidates, their policies and other lawful
objects. The police authorities were not
opposed to such meetings and would not in
terfere except when the proceedings take
d seditious turn.
1.-The trouble with the liberals here and in
st. Petersburg" the general remarked, us
that they are not accustomed to obeyinS
the law and have to learn that the laws
are meant TO be obeyed. If the Zemstvoists
want to meet again in Moscow they have
only to ask permission stating the object
of the meeting, and it will be freely
granted"
Freedom of the Press.
Regarding the demand for freedom of tho
press, Gen. Trepoff ntimated that the re-
strictions were more imaginary than real.
He pointed out the liberty with which the
papers are now discussing all sorts of sub
jects, in many cases abusing the privileges
granted them
When questioned on the subject of the ru-
mors of impending changes in the ministry
of the interior the general denied the cur
rent report that Gen. Count Alexis Igna-
tief. head of the religious federation COM
mittee. would be appointed minister. He
said NJ. Bougin had not resigned and that
the press was busying itself far more than
the government with this matter.
AS the correspondent rose to leave Gen.
Trepoff again reverted to the subject OF
peace, saying IN conclusion:
Your President has done great work
magnificent work. He should be thoroughly
happy and satisfied"