The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-02
REVOLUTION SEEMS NEAR.
Russia Moving Steadily Toward Crisis
Republic Not Likely.

Special Gable Despatch to tbs SUN.
LONDON, July l.-Stronger and stronger
the conviction grows that the fateful hour
| for Russia is about to strike. The revolu-
ton cannot come by slow sta ges. The
moment the dsaffection Of the naval and
military forces becomes general the storm
will break. 1t may still be held in check.
The news now coming through is too
confused and contradictory to permit any
reliable estimate as to how widespread
the insrreotionary movement among the
troops may be. 1t gems to be confined
to the reservists instead of the regular
troops in most places. The spirit Of re-
doors at 1sarskoe- Selo. The reservsts
have arms, and the regular soldiers, e1-
cept the Cossacks, who might be induced
to fire on the general populace, cannot be
relied upon to attack their brothers in
uniform
The question Of the hour is, How can the
Russian people be rescued from tyranny
without an indiscriminate slaughter SUR
passing the French Revolution in honor?
1t seems impossible, for a bloodless coup
detat has no chance Of success. There is,
however. a well defined and organized party
Of Russian Liberals who are awaiting the
proper moment to seize the Government
and install new regime. In their pro-
gram secret force must Of course play
large part, but every effort will be made
to limit tho bloodshed.
VIII Carbon be altogether destroyed?
Few In Russia believe that a republican
form Of Government Is suitable for the
Russian people, 1t Is scarcely practicable
to set up q new dynasty. liberal con-
stitution viii assuredly be established and
1t Is said that . representative regency
will be appointed during the twenty years
minority Of the Cars son.
Tho correspondent Of THE Sun at St.
Petersburg asked q prominent man there
who suggested this e1pedient what in that
event would become Of the Emperor Men
olas. Tho only answer was shake Of the
head.
1t was said In the somewhat cryptic
despatch in yesterday s Sun that peace with
Japan would not be made by the present
Russian Government This is interpreted
by the European press, which widely dis
cusses that telegram, as mere prophecy
that the present regime will be overthrow
before the negotiations are finished. Its
meaning has wider scope than that.
Let Japans position in dealing with Rus
STA be considered for a moment. What was
the sole cause of the present war? Notori-
ously nothing but Russia's reputation Of
her solemnly made obligation. OF what
value to japan then would be fresh set Of
promises from the same source? Japan
has no quarrel with the Russian people.
She has nearly 100 900 Of them as prisoners
within her borders. She has fraternized
with them. She has learned to like them
and to sympathize with them in their OPP
preston. Why under all the circumstances
should she not require that peace when it
comes, in order TO be permanent, should
be ratified by a representative national
The thing may he unprece-
dented; it may even be an unjustified attempt
to interfere in the domestic affairs of her
enemy, but that does not alter the reason
ableness Of such demand. 1t may be en-
tirely necessary to put forward this among
the conditions OF peace; Russia herself
may provide it before the negotiations are