Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-11-03

1
the manifesto issued too late? Is the
excitable popnlace of Russia drunk
with It's success in the agitation fol
| freedom? Are these last riots that
are lately reported. indications OF
socialistic frenzy rather than of purely
joyful emotions? These are the
questions that are confronting the
cooler headed and more conservative
! heads of governments.
| Riots and street fights growing out
Of the demonstrations took such form
on Wednesday and Thursday that look
ominOuS for the present condition OF
government affairs. Some who are
watching the trend affairs are taking
believe these signs p0rtend demand
for constitutional government, even
a republic. Even the Gar is be-
ginning to fear this demand, and is
doing all in his power to avert such
a calamity for himself. This one
thi ng is believed to have had more
influence with him in arriving at the
decision to grant the late liberties,
than any other thing coming before
his attention. Count Witte, called
Russia's liberatOr, is taking every
rightful means to save his country,
but he seems to have before him d
tremendous task.
The news from the provinces tends
to show that On Tuesday the whole
empire was plunged into great excite
ment. Everywhere the announce
menu of the manifesto granting
rights and liberties and constitution
aroused the populace to the highest
pitch of enthusiasm. Everywhere,
the same as in st. Petersburg, the
people are divided into two camps,
graded by the intensity Of the joyful
enthusiasm with which the good news
was received, One camp, the whites"
are those who appreciate the favorS
granted them. and with the under
standing that the car keep his word
as TO the reforms he has promised
them, have become loyalists. The
other camp, the ''reds," is made up OF
those malcontents, socialists, and
students who would overtuIn the
government and establish a republic
from the start
The reds demand more than is
contained in the Cars ukase. They
insist on the removal OF all political
prisoners, the removal of several
heads of the government forces, and
the withdrawal of all troops. The
"Whites," which make up the greater
part of Russia's intelligent populace,
accept the Cars ukase in good faith
and welcome it as signal FOR better
times for Russia. The latest demands
of the ''redS'' as brought out by the
recent riots, are that the empire be
granted:
The formation of a national mill
tia.
Complete political amnesty.
A guarantee of rights offered in the
Cars manifesto.
Repeal of martial law in the empire.
The abolition or capital punish
ment.
Just how much of these demands
the Gar may see tit to grant in the
future is hard to tell. Those who
make these increased demands are in
the majority as to numbers, and may
yet, by means of further riots, COM
pell the Car to curtail his own
power. Certain it is. he will grant
nothing till he is compelled to do so,
and certain it is that Count Witte
will use every concession made by the
emperor toward the improvement of
his country. Among the things he
has accomplished on the concessions
granted thus far, are these: Pobiedo-
netseff, head of the Russian church
and the arch-enemy Of reform in the
empire, chagrined at the success OF
Witte, has resigned his post. The
passing of the power of this man is
second in Importance only to the
granting of political freedom by the
Gar.
Finland was freed from arbitrary
rule, on order from st. Petersburg
directing the governor to re-assemble
the diet and restore the constitutional
regime in the province. The members
Of the Senate. who had continued to
perform their work right along till
now, were asked to resign and did so.
Witte has chosen new cabinet and
all Russia is watching him to see
what success will crown his efforts to
make an end to the internal troubles
Of his country