Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-02-02
MEASURE Of REFORM RIM
GRAND DUKE VLADIMIR SAWS IT
WILL BE GRANTED TO RUS
80 y -. & -. \
SIAN PEOPLE.

st.. Petersburg, Feb. Grand Duke
Vladimir, uncle of Emperor Nicholas,
and commander of the imperial guard,
granted an interview to the Associat-
ed Press at the dukes palace in Quay
de la Cour, adjoining the winter pal
ace. The correspondent was received
in the grand dukes private study, into
which he was ushered by the grand
dukes aide de camp, Prince Belasel-
sky. The grand duke is man of per
haps sixty-five years, veteran in ap-
pearance as we'll as in fact, for he won
his spurs and the cross of St. George
twenty-five years ago on the plains be-
fore Plevna. He is big framed and
dark visaged and has iron gray hair,
and resembles more his brother Alex
ander III. than his nephew, Emperor
Nicholas. Although his face and
frame show marks of recent illness,
the nervous energy he displays gives
the impression of man of force and
action.
What information can give you?"
inquired the grand duke.
1.-The newspapers abroad" suggest
ed the correspondent, have made
many statements regarding the events
of Jan o."
Shocked at Stories Printed
II know; 1 have read accounts in
the foreign press. have stood aghast
at the frightful stories of the butchery
of innocent people which they have
printed. know they say well in
tentioned patriots with a priest at
their head, coming peacefully to place
their grievances before his majesty
were ruthlessly shot down in the
streets; but we know that behind this
peaceful procession was an anarchistic
and socialistic plot of which the over
whelming majority of the workmen
were merely innocent tools. We know
from examination of the dead and
those arrested that some alleged
priests were actually revolutionary
agitators and students in disguise.
We had to save the city. from mob.
Unfortunately to do so innocent and
guilty suffered alike But suppose
100000 men had reached the gates of
the winter palace; they would have
sacked it as the mob sacked Yer
sailles.' From the palace they would
have gone elsewhere and the whole
city would have been delivered over to
anarchy, riot, bloodshed and flames.
Our duty was the duty of every govern
ment. \ -.-,.. ...
THE same situation has confronted
cities in other countries. Why, be-
cause this occurred in Russia, should
the whole world point the finger of
scorn at us? In the midst of our diff
iculties, why should we be turned up
on? Why should America, especially,
mfsinterpret and think Ill of US? We
have always been friends-friends of
century, friends when America need
ed friends. remember when America
was our great friend. Why has all
this changed? What has Russia done
to deserve it? What has Russia done
to America"
Not Ripe For a Constitution.
The grand duke then said the fos.
eign press had printed Infamous
| stories of alleged cruelty in Russia.
He said 1926 people were killed and
several hundred wounded in the riot
ing in st. Petersburg. He said the re-
port that Gorlzy was to be hanged was
nonsense and refuted the assertion
| that the Russian oops were disloyal.
Vladimir admitted that the country
was passing through crisis but said
I it would successfully emerge from it.
He said "a constitution would mean
the end of Russia, as the state would
be gone, anarchy would supervene and
when it ended the empire would be
| disintegrated. Russia is not ripe for
constitution. Still there is necessity
for reforms and they will be granted
| by the autocracy." ,..
Maintaining the principle of autoc-
| racy then, the people will have an OPP
| portunity to be heard in the govern
ment?" questioned the correspondent
EYES," was the reply, they can and
am sure they will be given a voice
OF that am certain. They will be
given the means Of presenting their
needs and grievances direct to the SOW
ereign." W." y. E.. '.
With these significant words, fore
shadowing perhaps the Immediate
granting Of something in the nature
| of zemskyzaboe Gland parliament),
the grand duke ended the interview.
Coal Mans Chief Worker. s55 q