The Washington times., 1905-01-27
Washington Russians
Views on Revolution
Dr. HOurWiCh Predicts That Libertys Cause
in Cars Empire Has Received an I'M
petus That Cannot Be Halted

the supplemented rustics. who still
chung to their traditional faith in the
Gar
The Socialists would. nevertheless. join
IN the march out of sympathy with thelr
fellow-strikers. the Cars recent mani
festo left no room for decisions as to
his attitude toward the demand for con-
sutctional government but the skepttcs
were satisfied that the failure of the pc
tition would impair the prestige of au-
tocracy with the masses.
To be sure, the marching of unau-
thorized bodies is prohibited by law;
but under the lenient regime OF Prince
Svfatopola-Mirsky the severity of the
law mad been relaxed. and no one could
have anticipated the firing upon un-
armed men, women. and children, who
meant no harm.
THIS demonstra ton. be il noted, was
not without precedent Twenty-seven
years ago, in the spring OF 1878. the
striking employees of a ST Petersburg
palace OF the then heir 70 the throne.
the father Of the present Gar to solicit
bis Intervention in their behalf.
Complaint Entertained.
Those Were troubIous days for the
Russian government, yet the parade
was not interfered with, the strikers
We're courteously received at the Anitch-
koy palace by the chief Of police, who
promised to submit their petition to the
heir-apparent, and the strikers peace
ably dispersed.
The shooting of the strikers, their
wives and children last Sunday has
wrought a radical changa in the political
situation OF the country. Only few
Paris, which was attended by delegates
OF number OF Russian, Polish, Fin
nfsh and Armenian liberal and reYoiu-
tionary organizations: the Russian Rev
CT Do hat &c he
terrorist organization, was also repre-
scented.
The conference adopted resolutions IA
voring constitutional government and
universal suffrage; the published report
of the conference contains, however, nc
demand for a republican form of gov
eminent.
Monarchy the Issue.
But now that the Gar has himself
declared war TO the people he has made
monarchy the issue.
The public outside of Russia scarcely
realize how far the disaffec.ion has
spread In the nation.
The demands of the zeInstvo confer
ence Were Endorsed at series Of po-
htical banquets held in ST. Petersburg,
kiev, Odessa, Kharkov, Saratov, Ia
gaErog and other cities; these banquets
We're attended by lawyers, physicians,
university professors, journalists, mar
Shals of the nobility, city mayors and
other leading citizens
A portentous incident occurred last
month in st. Petersburg at the annual
meeting of the Society of Engineers
which numbered among its attendance
presidents and directors OF Industrial
corporations and other men prominently
identified with the business interests of
the country.
After indorsing the demands of the
&emstvos. the society expressed by 4
rising vote Its sympathy with SaZonoV
and Sikorsky, the two men sentenced 10
penal Servitude for the assassination of
Won Plehye.
Outcome of the Crisis.
What is likely to be the outcome of
the present crisis would be difficult to
foretell. The government may have for
feited the confidence OF the nation. yet
it has ample military force to overawe
The people.
The ownership of firearms without a
special permit is prohibited in the
cities; the sale of firearms to persons
who fail to produce a permit is en-
joined under heavy penalties The great
bulk of the Russian people are unarmed
and unable TO offer serious resistance TO
autocracy, backed by the soldiery.
Can the troops be relied upon to obey
orders to shoot?
The seeds of revolutionary agitation
have here and there taken root in the
army; on the whole. however. the Rus
sian soldier has 50 far proved an ideal
machine gun.
In an open fight ali odds are in favor
OF the government But assuming that
all open resistance has been put down
regardless Of the sacrifice Of human
lives. viii that be the end?
Ready to Die for Principles.
The events OF last Sunday have dem
onstrated the readiness of men and
women of all classes, university stu
dents as well as common laborers, to
die for their principles.
People who are prepared to die are
dangerous enemies
Heretofore the liberals have depre-
Gated violence. hoping to obtain con-
cessions from the government by peace
ful petitions On the other hand, the
Social-DemOcrats have strongly OPP
posed the terrorist policy of the reVo-
lutionary Socialists, hoping 20 over
throw the autocratfc government by an
open revolt of the working class.
If the success of the government in
supporting both peaceable agitation and
armed rebellion should defeat the plans
Of the liberals and of the Social-Demo-
Gratis, the revolutionary Socialists will
gain the support of ali those who Will
not be reconciled to the iron rule of
autocracy.
Fight to Bitter End.
This means fight TO the bitter end
between the revolutionary Socialists