New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-22
RESPONSIBILITY IN RUSSIA.

1t is not easy il indeed 1t is possible, to deter
mine what is going in Russia, so meagre and
partial is the news and so changeable is 1t from
day to day. OF few fundamental facts, how
ever, there is no reasonable doubt One is that
the Russian Empire In Europe Is in the throes
Of a revolution which in domestic significance is
comparable with the French Revolution of 1893.
Another Is that, whatever may be the net out
come and permanent result Of this movement,
things can never again be as they were before
the revolution has already gone far enough to
accomplish results of profound Importance which
can never be undone A third is that many of
the circumstances of the revolution have been
and are almost indescribably savage, cruel and
horrible, fully rivallng the worst deeds of
the mob of Paris and that the whole situation
at this time is ominously dark and uncertain,
as witnesses the fact that his name day the
Gar, instead of issuing the promised decree for
promoting liberal reforms was compelled to re-
sort to measures of repression doubtless as
much to his own disappointment as to that of
the people.
One other thing which has all along seemed to
US quite clear, and which is Of especial peril
hence, is that the chief responsibility for the
tragic and ominous phases of the revolution
rests upon the grand ducal reactionarles. auto
Gratis, bureaucrats and sordid spectators, who,
for the sake of perpetuating despotic power and
Of gratifying selfish pecuniary greed, wickedly
forced the late upon reluctant Japan and
are now willing for the same ends to drench the
empire in innocent blood. Evidence of such re-
sponsibility seems quite convincing; at least in
Carlyle's phrase, if not sure, at least morally
certain. Upon no other supposition &C
count for the awful crimes which have been COM
mitted since the reform movement began. 1t was
significant that the moment the Gar issued a
liberal decree widespread massacres began. with
every mark of careful preparation and organiza-
ton. The local officials and police either par
ticipated in them or watched them without in
reference and with approval And then. as If
at some mysterious command, they suddenly
stopped. It cannot be reasonably doubted that
these massacres were ordered by some authority
which the provincial and municipal officers
dared not disobey. We cannot for an instant
suspect the Car himself of any completely with
them. We must attribute them to that ring"
which for years has been trying to dominate the
Car and to nuIify his authority: the same
ring" that effected the betrayal and oppression
/ of Finland and provoked the japanese war.
The scheme is TO destroy confidence between the
Car and the people and to incite the people to
such acts of violence will compel the Gear to
resume a repressiye policy.
| That is the Frankenstein monster which has
| been developed during the two centuries of Rus
| sian autocracy. Now. in its lust Of power and
| pelf il Is ready 20 make sacrifice OF both the
| Car and the people. and is threatening the Hol-
stein-Gottorp dynasty itself with extinction.
! We are not unmindfuI OF the pernlcous coun-
sells and deeds Of radical extremists in Russia.
| But despite them and the worst they could have
/ done we believe that had ii not been for the
| sinister schemes and deliberate crimes of the
reactionary ring Gar and people would long
| ago have met In aDity and mutual confidence
| upon ground of reason, and the Transformation
| OF Russia into liberal and progressive constitu-
| tional monarchy would have been peacefully eff
| fected. Il may now be necessary to resume re-
| pressiVe measures perhaps even temporarily to
! rescind some Of the reforms that have been de-
| creed: FOR we must approve the principle that
the restoration Of order is the first duty, preced-
| ing the granting of reforms. If so, the blame
must rest not upon the maddened and misguided
populace nor upon the almost distracted Car
and the Prime Minister who is striving TO per
form all the twelve Iabors of Hercules in one, but
| upon the selfish and corrupt reacionaries who