The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-11-13
MAGNITUDE OF WHITES TASK kussia's Thor9y Path to
 Free9.n. REFoaMERS HOLD ALooF Won't Risk Political Future With Government. Believe on Convention of Douma Pre- seat Order VIII be Destroyed
 and Party of Count.
 DemolisAed.

St. Petersburg.g Nov. 12.--With each days disappointments 1t becomes more
 apparent that Russian reformers have
 learned little of the lessons of history and that Russia is destined like other countries before her. to travel a thorny path to freedom.
 She seems determined to pay the heaviest price for her political educa- ton. This perhaps is not strange con- sidering that all her Intelligent classes are. engaged in revolt against the old order of things. the moderatists for the moment. clasping hands with the ultra revolutionists to accomplish the down. fall Of the autocracy. The result Is that all the reform element are dis trustful of the government and take pride In holding aloof as if everybody connected with the government was contaminated and there is no solid con servative elment to act as brake upon those who shrink from no political ex- pertinent no matter how reckless.
 The various groups Into which the liberals are splitting and even those who advocate the very constitutional- ism into which Count Wftte is seeking to conduct the government seemingly would rather let the country drift into anarchy than lift finger to aid him. The leaders display anything but disin- terested patriotism. having political ambitions and being convinced that the present is only 6 temporary govern ment, until the douma meets.
 Politics Playing Part. They prefer not to jeopardize their own future by taking office in gov ernment marked for sacrifice, yet they appreciate as does Count Witte, the old faction which ruled so long at court would likely renew the struggle for re- action, unhorse the new premier and 1ettison the whole reform program They admit that Count witte Is the only man In the present stage of transit tion capable of coping with the court camariiia; but they refuse to assist him to get firm seat in the saddle.
 The danger of reaction is, hardly worth serious consideration however. Even the discomfitted advocates of the old regime realize that the Emperor's step is frrevocabie, that lie could not withdraw it if he would and that any attempt simply to place him in the at- titude of ursurper of the peoples liberties would precipitate an immediate crash in which he would be sure to lose the throne. Nevertheless the failure of the reform elements to break with the social democrats and co-oper- ate with Count Witte may prove dis astrous and encourage the extreme agitators. who would apparently pro- yoke continuance of clashes and ex- cesses, and in the end force the gov- ernment to resort to extreme measures. which being interpreted as a return to the policy of repression might preci- pitate uprisings.
 Fortunately, something like a realiza- tion of these dangers is coming home to small but growing class of liberals. For instance Prince Eugene Troubetsky. who declined to accept the portfolio of the Minister of Education because the party with which he Is afhliated is com mitted to a constituent assembly, in an open letter to the public advises the people to support the new government in its effort to restore transuuiItv, and D'mitri Shipoff and M. Gutchkoff who also declined portfolios. have returned to Moscow with the intention of organizing distinct party of moderates to aid Count witte.
 The influential Slovo has become the organ of the party of order" and even The Russ. while endorsing the action of the zemstvoists in refusing office, thinks that they could with propriety select committee to act in an advisory capacity with the government.
 Spread of AErarian Disorders.
 The spread of agrarian disorders in Saratoff Is a new and threatening phase of the situation. emphasizing the neces- sity of quieting the country It is sig nificant in connection with the fear of mutiny among the troops that the coun- ell for national defense has taken occa- sion to issue a public statement to the effect that army reforms for the bet terment of the conditions of the men, including the improvement of food and clothing and an increase of pay are under consideration
 The retirement of Count Lamsdorf 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 Russian Minister at Copenhagen enjoys great favor at court and doubtless would be the Emperor's personal choice as successor to Count Lamsdorf. but the exigencies of the situation later might compel the selection of another.
 The new policy of national education which Is one of the principal blanks of Count witte's platform will be in- augurated by transfer to the ministry of education of all the imperial edu- institutions which are now mostly under the protection of the Dowager Empress. Their endowment of s44, 500,000 will thus be added to the national education fund.
 Father Gapon has taken advantage of the amnesty and is now on his way to St. Petersburg.
 The corrupt condition of the naval existing at Cronstadt. which was disclosed by the recent mutiny, has compelled the resignation of Admiral Nlkonoff. commandent of the Baltic ports, and other officers. The mutineers. instead of being subjected to the full penalties of naval regulations. calling for the execution of every fifth man are to be shipped on a long puni- tive cruise.
 Count witte. has decided for the pre- sent to name no new minister of the interior. The announcement of the appoin tment of M Durnovo as acting minister of the interior and as a mem ber of the council of the empire has been made