New-York tribune., 1905-11-01
RTSSIA'S NEW ERA.

If is easy to make proclamations and DEGREES,
but often difficult to fulfil them In all their de-
tails A monarch matter how diftident and
hesitant may do the one, while it will take
statesman of stalwart mind to do the other.
The nominal glory Of usherng in Russa's new
era rests with Nicholas Alexandreiov1tch- The
labor of making that era benefcent reality is
allotted to Sergius Witte. We may be sure,
however that the latter work will be under
taken more resolutely and more vigorously than
the former. Count Whites principles and record
are we'll known and his words on assuming MS
tremendous task have the true ring. He may
be assured that the hopes and sympathies OF
America are with him, and we may believe that
the best sentiment of Russia is also on his side.
Doubtless he will be opposed by some reaction
aries. more autocratic than the autocrat, and
by some impatient and implacable radicals; but
surely the heart and brain of the Russian people
must be with him, for 1t is their cause which
he is directing toward full frutton.
Very different Is this revolution from either Of
the two attempts at notwithstanding which
preceded it. The first was In Anna Ivanovna's
time in 1870. There was demand that on as
suming the crown she should grant conshtu-
ton, establishing the writ Of habeas corpus and
forbidding the sovereign to make war or peace.
10 impose taxes or to appoint men to office
without the approval of the Secret High Council.
That would have transformed the autocracy into
an oligarchy But that demand was made by
only two families, the Gahtztns and the Dol
gorouks, and was strongly opposed by the rest
of the nobility and by the people, and Of course
1t failed, disastrously to those who had proposed
it. The second, in Alexander IFS time, soon
after the emancipation of the serfs, was Or
ganized by the mobiles who wanted to get by
means of a constitution political recompense for
their losses; but when 1t was not ignored by the
Gar it was resented by him and made the
theme of reprimand This third demand comes
not from two families, nor from the aristocracy
alone, but from the Russian people: wherefore
1t Is we'll that 1t should be successful.
The Emperor's decree does not formulate a
whole constitution, but 1t opens for one q door
that cannot hereafter be closed. Apart from its
generalites about civic liberty and the like, it is
to be noted that it makes several specific pro-
visions of the highest Importance. The call for
the Douma is to stand and to be fulfilled; but
the process OF constituting that body is to be ex
tended as much possible In the direction of
universal suffrage. and the Douma itself is to
perfect that extension Of the suffrage until the
right is enjoyed by all. Thus constituted, the
Douma is to be not merely consultative but a
truly legislative body, and no law is hereafter
to become effective without its approval. In
brief Russia Is to have an effective representa-
tive legislature, chosen by universal suffrage.
With that as the foundation, 1t can secure for
itself whatever constitution 1t desires.
IT would therefore seem to be eminenty de-
sIrable for the Russian people to accept this
new order Of things IN good faith and make the
best Of it. Beyond doubt the people can reason
ably afford to take the government at It's word
experimentally. for they will hereafter have the
whip hand of the situation In any event II
the Emperor's decree is made as We confidently
believe, In good faith. the people WILL as we
have seen be able TO secure under 1t ell they
want II, on the other hand there should be any
attempt at withdrawal Or Reputation OF its
proyisions-which we cannot tor moment an