Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-13
RUSSIA TO BE FREE
Emperor Declares In Favor
 of Land Congress.
TOLSTOl'S MESSAGE TO AMERICANS
Cznr Nicholas. Replying to Memorial, Said to Count Leo Deosvltch Tol-
 stoi. "I Am Not Opposed to Zemsky Zabor.''


 Zemsky Zabor."
 ST. PETERSBURG Feb. 13. All Russia is stirred by these words of Emperor Nicholas to Count Tolstoi: "l am not opposed to a zemsky zabor. On the contrary. believe it neces- sary.''
 The emperor. whose word is law. has personally declared himself in favor of a land congress and expressed the con- viction that the time had come to pre- pare to give the people a voice in the government.
 The emperor's words were spoken in the course of conversation with Count Leo Deonvitch Tolstoi. son of the famous author, and fully confirms the statement of Grand Duke Nladi- mir on Jan. 31. in which the grand duke expressly declared that his august nephew was in favor of a zemsky za- bOr The scmiofficial denial subse- quently sent out is now disproved by the sovereign's statement to Count To- stoi.
 An American correspondent saw Count Tolstoi in comfortable house facing the Tauris gardens in this city. He said:
 T suppose you have come to hear about my audience at Tsarskoe- Selo cannot enter into details because consider if unseemly to do so. but am glad to state the broad lines of my conversation with the cZar. His maj esty summoned me after having re- ceived a memorial which I addressed to the throne exposing the present sit, uation in the country and hunbly ex- pressing the opinion that the interest of the monarch and the nation called for the removal of the wall raised up by the bureaucracy between them. His majesty assured me that personally he was not opposed to the convoc8 ton of ! a land parlia meut for Russia. but. on | tho contrary. believed it necessary. The whole question now is greatly simpli- fled and resolves itself to q discussion of when is tho most opportune mo- ment
 II am not at liberty to relate the em- peror's views on the subject. but you may announce to the American people that the delay will be only such as is strictly necessary for the introduction of an innovation of such magnitude. The great thing is that the emperor is ! in favor of a zemsky zabor.' . The news that Emperor Nicholas has indorssd the scheme for the revival of the xemsky zabor. or ancient land par. lament. which the old smperors con. voked In times of stress. has spread through the country and created in tense satisfaction among the Liberal classes.
 Liberals are convinced that the meet ing of such ! representative body must ~ be followed hy important and wide spread reforms.
 Despite official reports of improved conditions in Russia. the labor move ment in general seems to he gathering strength. Four thousand men havs quit work at kharkov. several more factories here have been closed. trains have ceased to run in the Caucasus and the situation in Poland is more grave.
 Serious trouble is expected at T.Odz where 1O0.NH men are OH strike. They have increased their demands and show no signs of needing the ultima tum of the employers. A mob at War saw footed sunshop. Every factory in tbat city is idle.
 M Souvorin. in the course of sar castle editorial article ia the Novo' vrcnya. suggests that tho best egres' from the present trouble is to invite an American syndicate to come in and take over the government. "as Ameri csns make the best managers of bil enterprises.'