The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-02-16
Powerful Influences w.
zsmsky zabo.
He WEIGHS THE ARGUt
The Moscow Gazette, the Leadin
ponent of Absolute Autocracy
Says Only the Emperor Can
Save the Country.

St Petersburg. February 15.-l1:4o p.
m. i'm spite of Emperor Nicholas per-
sonal inclination in favor of the zemsky
tabor. as intimated to Count Leo Deono-
witch Tolstoi, the imperial decision to
summon this parliament has not yet been
taken. The Emperor Is carefully weigh
ihg arguments for an against the plan
before committing himself to this course.
This statement Is made on the authority
of perhaps the most liberal of the En-
peror's ministers. who this evening in
formed the Associated Press that the
questions remains under consideration at
Tsarsloe-Selo.
II myself have urged frankly upon
his majesty" the minister said, the
view that the time has come when the
people should no longer be denied voice
in the government; and the same coun-
sci has been given by many others, who.
like me, believe that the moderate lib
eral element, which has been drifting
away, can thus be rallied to the support
of the government His majesty recev-
ed our views sympathetically, and | be-
lieve is personally inclined to adopt the
couse we suggested He is now care
fully celebrating upon the subject.
Powerful Influences at Work.
1T is no secret however, that power
full influences about his majesty are press
ing the contrary view, and advancing
strong arguments which cannot lightly be
thrust aside. even If the decision is finally
ia orable. Precipitation is impossible, al
though the people who are laboring under
the stress OF excitement seem to forget
that for such sweeping innovation time
is necessary to formulate elaborate
scheme for the electorate, composition
and functions of the body.
Reasons of state also exist which
might make 1t inadvlsahle to summon
such a body during the continuation of
the war since tie government is OF the
opinion that peace Is impossible now.
But If the zemsky tabor is to be con-
vened at the conclusion of the war, pro-
camation should be issued now. Yet no
natter what the Emperor's decision may
be the manifesto on reforms on which thu
committee of ministers Is working, will
be productive of great good. The mis-
fortune is that all the diseontented classes
are for the moment skeptical. They are
using every weapon TO embarrass the
government while 1t is engrossed with
the war.
THE situation Is deplorable. but not
critical. There may be trouble and dis
orders even on a comparatively large
scale, though there will be no crisis un-
less the d1content extends to the rural
regions. In my opinion that Is possible
only in the event of some great catastro
phe, such as a general failure of tn, crop,
or an epidemic of cholera. Then. with
famine to frlghten the country, coupled
with political agitation In the cities, no
one can predict what may happen"
Welded Immense Power.
1t is said that one of the arguments
used by the court party against the re-
vival of the zemslxy tabor is the fact that
the body In the old days welded immense
power, being itself responsible for the
elevation of the Homanoff dynasty to the
throne, and therefore II might even un-
dertake If again called into being, to
elect a new ruler. Generally speaking,
the position of the opposition to the zem-
sky tabor is well voiced edltorially in
todays Moscow Gazette, the leading ex-
ponent of the absolute autocracy of Rus
sia, in which IL is prophesied that any
sort of national assembly will lead to a
struggle between 1t and the Emperor. and
this controversy inevitably will end in
the overthrow of the autocracy The ar
ticle draws a parallel between the present
rorism which almost wrung a constitil-
tion from Alexander ii. and after his
assassination confronted Alexander III
with a choice of alternatives
The article continues:
Then, as how, the pubic press loudly
proclaimed that without a parliament or
zemsky tabor, Russia may fall. Even
government circles were 80 intimidated
hy an insignificant group of terrorists
that IL came to believe that Russia could
be saved only by the zemstvoists, In
stead Of the sensible power of the auto
cratic sovereign. But Alexander under
stood that the first consideration for the
welfare Of Russia was the restoration OF
order. The government and not the peos
pie the Emperor and not the zemsky
tabor, then rescued Russia from revo-
luton.
What was true then Is tue now; the
Emperor must again save Russia"
Gaornia ntvtaion 80 Meat