The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29
THE TREPOFF POLICY.
Shrewd Tactics OF the Man on Whom
Rest the Hopes OF Russia n Autocracy

To THE EDITOR or THE Suns Sir: Gen.
Trepofr. Governor General OF st. Petersburg.
with plenary powers, whose reputation is not
less sinister than that of several OF his class
who have been removed at different times
by agents OF the revolutionary bodies in
Russia. appears to be endowed with more
astuteness and intelligence than the average
Muscovite police Official His proclamation
to the workinRmen of ST. Petersburg was
piece Of exceedingly shrewd tactics. and II Il
proves successful in the long run he viii de-
serve all the rewards that the autocracy
which 1t will have saved can confer on him
The immediate result is the separation Z,
causes among the revolutionary leaders,
who had nothing but vague promises to give
to those they led. compared with the sub
stantial relief which the Government gives
on the instant TO those already In misery
from hunger and cold To those the pro-
gramme OF Gen. TrepoI affords attractions
more powerful than n Constitution run by
n middle class composed OF lawyers. indus
trial capitalists and theoretical politicians,
who are pushing their way betW cen the moulk
and aristocratio classes into power. The
system of State Socialism that prevails IN
Russia Is eminently calculated to aid the
sagacious move OF Gen. Trepon,
The Government Of Russia Is tho largest
employer and controller OF labor H. the coun-
try. and is in n position 70 give effect 20 rs
decisions in no more time than is required
to arrive at them. The railways ana tele-
graphs, the manufacture ana sale OF kplfIH,
OF sugar. are all under Government owner
ship or control, also extensive factories
OF all kinds, and shipbuidinc establishments
To the workmen employed In these sufficient
wages TO insure them from want while az
work and a moderate insurance against
starvation in old age mean good government
in their present stage OF social and political
development. The doctrines preached 70
them by the followers Of Karl Marx would
hive no attraction for them but for the ttg
OF regeneration by politics which the aeii1tors
against the Government cunningly attached
10 them: and II the Russian Government onlv
permitted them 10 know OF the condition or
their class ray In Germany and Austria. the
Russian workmen would probably be, ne
first to drive their would-be constitution
deliverers out of the country so long "a 'he
nutocracy and its Trepoffs allowed them q
decent standard Of life. The Russian Gov
ernment, not being commercial undrr
taking in the ordinary meaning OF the term.
is not aiming at trade profits. but rather
Mt other ends. and can therefore AFFORD 10 %
what to its workmen would appear 70 be
generous In pursuit Of them
The success n failure. therefore. OF Gen
Trepon's policy means much for the au'oc-
rHcy. The great question is as to how ter
social revolutionary doctrines have per
meated Russian society generally The c1i''
ing Of Prince Troubet7koi. who belongs 70 ffN
best section Of the Liberal zemstvoists. ~ 50
Petersburg looks ne II the Government wcr"
disposed to make some concessions IN ~"
direction ot local political administrator
II such IL the case, the revolutionists would
for the time have the ground cut from under
their feet. and the autocracy would be In
position TO give its attention 70 the var NOV
evidently al very critical stage. Should
the report that Gen. Kuropatkin is neRotia'-
Ing with Marshal OyHma for an arrnistice turn
out to be true. IL would probably mean tNo
ending Of the present conflict and ia Therefore
TO be welcomed The reports Of the reueval
OF the fghting on the Shaho limo. however
leave the matter in doubt. =.
NEW YORK. Jan. IS.