New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-16
TIE DRIFT IN RUSSIA.

Russian affairs continue to drift but not alto
gether toward the bad. The mouiiks are rag
ing, and injuring themselves more than any
one else and the reactionaries are plotting all
manner Of mischief. Nevertheless, Count
Wftte is not yet broken down in mind or
body, but remains steadfast and potent at the
helm of state, and it is said the Emperor re-
tains confidence in him and gives him all the
imperial support at his command On Tuesday
next what is described in advance as highly
important decree will be issued, addressed
chiefly to the peasantry but including an
nouncement of the electoral law for the whole
empire, under which the National Assembly is
to be constituted. This announcement, apart
from whatever else may be in the decree, will
be of great Importance, and may determine the
whole future course of affairs If it satisfies
the liberal and popular leaders. it may put an
end forthwith to the instructions. If it seems
to them a mOckery and deIusion, 1t may in
tensify and increase the revolt beyond any
hope of restraint From what can be learned
of 1t in advance it seems likely that it will
prove pretty widely satisfactory and will
greatly strengthen the hands of Count White
and the advocates of reason.
Meantime it is reassuring to learn that the
finances of the government are in a fairly
satisfactory condition In the first eight months
OF the current year, we told. receipts
ceeded expenditures by $14.590000 OF course,
receipts included money from loans. meaning
so much increase of national Indebtedness, but
then also more than third of the expenditures
were extraordinary What is most encOurag-
ing is that the ordinary receipts showed an in
crease of 500 400. 900 and the ordinary expendi-
lures a decrease of $S.500000. There was a
change of $4S000Oo0 10 the good in the balance
sheet In such circumstances there seems little
ground for doubling the entire solvency of the
empire. The latest returns of the Russian
State Bank showed credits abroad and foreign
bills amounting TO about S155 000O 600 or Suffi-
cient to meet the interest charges OF the debt
for a year. Moreover the State Bank has
nearly $4O0OO0000 in gold at home and the
treasury has S35.000.000 in gold Oh deposit
abroad. 1t is true that shipments of gold from
Russia have begun, but it is too soon TO assume
that they will proceed to an embarrassing de-
gree-unless, of course there should be a gem
eral cataclysm.
We have spoken of affairs as drifting and
drifting is not usually regarded as commend
able course. 1t does not however always
demonstrate helplessnesS or inability to steer
and control the craft. There may be times
when 1t is necessary, or at least convenient, to
let matters drift while preparations are being
made for vigorous and effective assertion of
control In the present case the world sees
the drifting and its possible periS but 1t does
not see and does not know what may be going
on inside the vessel. Every riot every mutny
every untoward incident is bIazoned abroad
but there is little or no information of the
silent, quiet constructive work of organization
which Count Witte and his associates may be
doing behind the doors of the imperial cabinet.
That they are doing something we must be-
leye. 1t is uncomfortable that they are sitting
around a samovar drinking tea while revolu-
ton is raging In the land. The forces Of dis