The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-13
ALI MUST LEARN BY EXPERIENCE Russias Path to Freedom NH
 be Stormy GROUPS ARE ANTAGONISTlC A Few of the Influential Liberals How. ever Have Come to the Support
 of Count Witte's Re-
 form Plans.
GROUPS ARE ANTAGON|STIc

St. Petersburg, November 12.-with each days developments 1t becomes more ap- parent that Russian reformers have learn- ed little of the lessons of history. and that Russia is destined like other coun- tries before her to travel a thorny path to freedom.
 She seems determined to pay the heav- fest price for her political education. This perhaps is not strange, considering that all her intelligent classes are engaged in a revolt against the old order of things, the moderatists for the moment clasping hands with the ultra revolutionists to ac- complish the downfall of the autocracy. The result is that all reform elements arc dstrustful of the government, take pride in holding aloof as if everything connect- ed with the government was contami- mated, and there Is no solid conservative element to act as a brake upon those who shrink from no political experiment. no matter how reckless.
 Seems to Prefer Anarchy.
 The various groups into which the lib- erals are splitting and even those who advocate the very consttutionalism into which Count Witte is seeking to conduct the government, seemingly would rather let the country drift into anarchy than lift a finger to aid him. The leaders dis- play anything but disinterested patriotism' having political ambitions, and being con- vinced that the present is only step in the gap until the douma meets. lney prefer not to jeopardize their own future bv taking office in d government marked for sacrifice yet they appreciate as does Count Wltte that the old faction which ruled so long at court, would like to re- new the struggle for reaction, unhorse the new premier, and jettison the whole re- form programme They admit that Count Witte is the only man in the present stage of transition capable of coping with the court cafnarilla, but they refuse to as- sist him to get firm seat in the sad- dle.
 Emperor's Act Irrevocable.
 The danger of reaction is hardly worth serious consideration, however. Even the diecomftted advocates of the old regime realize that the Emperor's step is irrevo- | he would. and that any attempt simply 10 nlace him in the attitude of usurper or tho neople's liberties would precipita,e an immediate crash in which he wouiu be sure to lose the throne. Nevertheiess, the failure of the reform elements o break with the social democrats ana uo- operate with Count Witte may prove uis- astrous and encourage the extreme as'a- tors which would be apt to provoke d
 of cIa eXcPSSeS, in the end force the government 10 re- sort to extreme measures. which being internreted as return to the pohcy UT repression, might precipitate upfisihgs.
 fortunately. something like realiza- tion of these dangers IS coming noihe 'o n small but growing class of liberals. TOT instance Prince Eugene Troubetskoy. who decIlned to accept the portfolio of min ,star of education because the party with which he Is affiliated Is committed 10 constituent assembly, In an open letter lo inc public advises the people to support the new government in It's enort to re- store tranquility. and Dmitri Shipon ana M. Gutchkoff. who also decliheo poI.. folios. have returned to Moscow with the intention of organizing distinct party or moderates to aid Count Witte.
 The influential Slovo has become the organ of 'The Party of Order, ana even the Russ while endorsing the ac- ton of the zemstvoists in refusing offices. thinks that they could with propriety se- lect a committee to act In an advisory ca- pacity with the government
 Country Must Be Quleted.
 The spread of agrarian disorders in saratoff Is new and threatening phase of the situation, emphasizing the neces- sity of queting the country. Significant in connection with the fear of the mutiny among the troops, is that the council for the national defense has taken occa- sion to issue a public statement to the effect that army reforms for the better ment of the conditions of the men in cluding the improvement of food and clothing and an increase of pay are under consideration.
 The retirement of Count Lamsdroff. minister of foreign affairs. when the douma meets is certain but he may con- tinue in office until then. He is fitted neither by temperament nor training to hold office in a. ministry responsible to a parliament where he would have to reply to interpretations. H. DIswolsky. Russian minister at Copenhagen, enjoys great favor at court and doubtless would be the Emperor's personal choice as suc- cessor to Count Lamsdorff but the ex- agencies of the situation later might com pei the selection of another
 The new policy of national education which is one of the principal blanks of Count Witte's platform will be inaugu- rated by transfer to the ministry of edu- cation of all the imperial educational in stitutions which now are mostly under the protection of the dowager empress. Their endowment of s44.500,000 will thus be added to the national educational funds
 Father Gapon has taken advantage of the amnesty and is now on his way to St. Petersburg