Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-02-03
People OF Russia VIII Have a Voice
In Government
SAYS THE EMPERoR's UNCLE
Grand Duke Vladimir Greatly Shocked
at Foreign Press Reports Of Recent
Troubles-Why Does World Point
Finger Of Scorn at Russia, He Asks.


and commander OF the Imperial Guard,
granted an interview to the Associated
Press at the dukes palace in Quay de
La Cour, adjoining the winter palace.
The correspondent was received in
the grand dukes private study, into
which he was ushered by the grand
dukes aide-de-camp, Prince Belasel'
sky, who has the reputation Of being
one OF the finest polo players and most
popular young men in Europe. The
grand duke would have presented the
picture OF hard working general on
field OF battle. Everything about the
apartment, with reports heaped up on
the table before him. bespoke the man
OF work The study might well be
mistaken for an Office OF some busy
American railway manager. The grand
duke is man OF perhaps Go years.
veteran in appearance as well as in
fact, for he won his spurs and the
Cross OF ST. George twenty-five years
ago in the plains before Plevna.
Assalls Newspapers.
What information can give you"
was the grand dukes first inquiry.
The newspapers abroad" suggest
ed the correspondent, have made
many statements regarding the events
OF Jan. %"
II know; | have read accounts In
the foreign press. | have stood aghast
1t the frightful stories OF the butchery
OF innocent people which they have
printed. ! know they say well-nten.
toned patriots, with a priest at their
head coming peacefully to place their
grievances before his majesty, were
ruthlessly shot down In the streets:
but We know that behind this peaceful
procession was an anarchistic and So
cialistic plot Of which the overwhelm-
Ing majority OF the workmen were
merely innocent tools. We know from
examination or the dead and those ar
rested that some alleged priests were
actually revolutionary agitators and
students in disguise.
Eve had TO save the city from
mob. Unfortunately. TO do so limo
cent and guilty suffered alike. But
suppose 10000 men had reached the
gates OF the winter palace; they
would have sacked IL as the mob
they would have gone elsewhere and
the whole city would have been deliv-
cred over 10 anarchy, riot, bloodshed
and flames Our duty was the duty of
every government The same situa-
ton has confronted cities in other
countries. Why, because this occurred
in Russia. should the whole world
point the finger OF scorn at us? In the
midst of our difficulties, why should
we be turned upon?
America Was Russla's Friend.
"Why should America. especially.
misinterpret and think III OF US? We
have always been friends-friends OF
a century, friends when America need.
ell friends. | remember when Amer
lea was our great friend. Why has all
this changed? What has Russia done
10 deserve it? What has Russia done
to America? Why should the foreign
press, especially that cf Great Britain
not hesitate before any calumry? No
invention seems too horrible for them
to print They do not explain that on
Saturday every dead wall in ST.
Petersburg was placarded with warn
ings TO the people not to assemble.
No; but they tell that thousands OF in
nocent people were killed and other
thousands wounded, and paint the
streets as running red with blood.
Th"x, even say the dead were pushed
under the ice OF the Neya at night. /;
is Infamous"
Might ask your imperial highness'
view OF the present situation" said the
correspondent.
The situation Is not so bad as II Is
painted. The disorders at Warsaw,
Kieff and elsewhere are largely indus
trial, produced by trade depression
and consequent lack OF employ. lent on
account of the war They are not rev.
dictionary at base"
Then. without being asked, the
grand duke went on
Constitution impossible.
People speak Of a constitution 4
constitution would seem the end OF
Russia. as the state would be gone
anarchy would supervene. and when 1t
ended the empire would be disnte.
grated. Finland Poland and perhaps
other frontier provinces would have
broken away. Russia is not ripe for
constitution Still there is necessity
for reforms and they will be granted
by the autocracy."
Maintaining the principle q autoc.
racy. the people will have an oppor-
tunity 10 be heard In the govern.
ment?" questioned the correspondent
Yes" was the reply; they can. and
am sure they will be given a voice.
or that am certain" and he repeated
the words emphatlcally. Il am Ger.
tain" and continued even more DELHI
eratel-. they will be given the means
OF presenting their needs and griev.
snces direct 10 the sovereign"