The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-03
WI the Gar Give Way?

We shall soon learn how much foun-
dation there ia for the report pub
lished by the London Telegraph, and con-
frmed by the London .StGniar that
the Car has signed a ukase authorizing
NJ. u WIITE, President of the Council,
to invite the Russian people to cooperate
in the Government, the method of the
cooperation being left to the Minister'S
discretion. Assuming, for the sake of
argument, that Car really has the
good intention with which he is credited,
can We believe that il VIII be carried outt
If carried out faithfully and promptly.
would it avail 10 reinstate the Romanof
dynasty in the affections of its disilu-
sionized and embittered subjects?
If nnexibiliiy OF purpose on the part
of the sovereign and the existence Of
confidence and sympathy between him
and his chief Minister are essential to
the fulflment of a design sure TO be re-
sisted desperately by many members Of
the imperial family and by an organized
bureaucracy, the Russian people had
better prospect OF securing free institu-
tions in the early weeks Of 1851 than
they have to-day ALEXANDER IT, the
grandfather Of the present Gar. gave
repeated proofs of unf1inchng determi-
nation and moral courage He carried
through the abolition of seridom in the
teeth of angry opposition on the part Of
many Of his relatives, who pointed out
the indisputable fact that the provision
10 be made for the serfs and the COM
pensation to be given to their owners
would impose a tremendous burden on
the property OF the Crown. Resistance
equally strenuous but equally unavai-
ing, was offered to the same Cars jul
dcial and administrative reforms When,
therefore. it became known to the re-
dictionary party that ALEXANDER II.
had decided to complete the zemstyo
system of local autonomy bv the convo-
cation Of a national Parliament, and had
actually signed n ukase to that effect.
it was recognized that nothing short of
the sovereign's death could avert the
subvcrson OF the autocracy. II may
have been a coincidence. but if so it was
strange one, that at this crisis ALEX
AMBER H. was assassinated, and the
ukasc, which already was in type, was
heard of no more.
1t is also TO be borne in mind that tho
grandfather Of the present Car was a
man qualified TO secure the services OF
Jealous. loyal and devoted Ministers.
because they knew that their power
-, 1.ul al,
calumny or ntr que so long as they did
their duty. LoRIs MELIKoFF, for ex-
ample. who as Minister of the Interior
was clothed with exceptional and almost
dictatorial powers, was well aware that
he could mature at his leisure his great
project Of political reform without any
dread of interference on the part of
jealous courtiers or rcactionary Grand
Dukes. He was able, therefore. without
preoccupation or msgiving, to apply
all the intellect and all the energy that
he possessed TO the furtherance of his
masters benefcent design.
What analogy is presented by no
actual situation at 81. Petersbur. TO
the state of things that existed there a
quarter Of a century ago? Tn present
sovereign is VIGOROUSLY weak, irreso-
Lutte, yacillating man In the light of
his acts he stands exposed MS senti- (
Ioscur, infrm Of purpose,
tickle his friendships, a puppet of his
fears. After swc ring to respect the .
liberties Of Finland, he allowed them to
be extinguished After promising TO re- /
lieve the Jews from persecution. he left .
unchastised the authors of the massacre .
Of kishincf. After preaching peace
to the world and convoking n peace
he plunged his unhappy
subjects into perhdious and dreadful .
war. After authorizing VI. DE WIrTR .
to devise and carry out a system Of .
fiscal reforms by which .
Russia's disordered finances should be
placed on a sound basis, he summary .
removed the capable Minister at the