The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-20
GEAR SAYS HE'S FOR REFORM
RECEIVES DELEGATES FROM THE
ZEMSTVO CONGRESS-.
Reply to Their Request for National
Assembly Not All They Desire-Prince
Troubetskoi Tells Him OF tho Nations
Danger Under Present Conditions.

Special Gable Dtspafche, TO THs SrS.
ST. PETERSBURG, June I9.-The Gar
this morning received at the palace OF
Ts1rskoe-Selo the deputation appointed
TO visit him and present memorial by the
Congress Of ZemstvoS which recently met
at Moscow.
Count Heyden as president OF the con-
gress, headed the deputation, but Prince
Troubetskoi was spokesman. His ad-
dress to the Car dwelling upon the de-
plorable condition OF the country lasted
half an hour. Hi. Majesty listened in
tently and seemed to be impressed. NJ
Feodoroif, one Of the St Petersburg dele
gates, also spoke.
The Car, in the course OF his reply said:
y am happy to have heard you. i do
not doubt that you we're guided by an
ardent sentiment of love for your father
land in addressing yourselves directly to
me. ! have been and am still grie we'd
with all my soul with you and I'll my people
At the calamities which war has brought
upon Russia and at all those which may
still be feared as we'll as at our internal
disturbances.
"Dissipate your doubts. My will is the
sovereign and unalterable will, and the ad-
mission OF elected representatives to works
Of State will be regularly accomplished.
/ watch every day and devote myself to
this work. You may announce that to all
your friends dwelling in the country as well
as In the towns.
Il am fully convinced that Russia will
emerge strengthened from the trials she
il undergoing. and that there will be estab-
lished soon, az formerly, union between
the Car and all the Russian communion,
between myself and the men Of the Russian
soil This union and communion. which
must serve as the basis for the order OF
things, stand for the original principles OF
Russia. l have faith in your sincere desire
to help me in this task
LONDON, June 2O.-According to the St
Petersburg correspondent Of the Standard
the question OF peace was not mentioned
at the audience his Majesty having made the
exclusion Of this topic. which he regards
as a matter OF imperial prerogative. con-
diton for receiving the deputation.
The latter. therefore. was simply the
mouthpiece OF the agitation for a popular
assembly. The reception OF the deputa-
ton after official sanction had been re-
IuECQ 70 lilo ZCtlStNoiSSo SohsiS'' 'No>"
is an important advance, expressing Russia
progress toward better Government.
Prince Troubetskoi in his speech as
sured the Gar that the Zemstvoists were
not rebellious disturbers Of the peace nor
enemies OF the sovereign. as their enemies
charged, but were inspired by love for their
country and the desire to have it tranquil
and prosperous. The country's condition.
he declared, was terrible. and the Zemst vos
must speak.
The people knew the Gar was resolved
upon reforms. but as nothing practical
had resulted from the numerous ukases
and manifestoes. the people had become
convinced that the Cars purposes we're
being thwarted.
They suspected treachery and were
looking for the traitors. This created
. dangerously receptive soil for the prop
uganda Of social hatred. Some agitators
told the peasants that the officials were
blamable Some named the landlords
and zenstvos al the cause. Others said
the liberals and the press were responsible,
This situation must be remedied or
horrible catastrophe would be inevitable.
The Government must seek new path to
retain the confidence OF the people. There
fore the Zemstvoists hailed his Majesty's
resolution to give the country popular
assembly, and desired to help him execute
his plan. The Zemstvoists were agreed
on the following four points:
First-That representation should not be
according to classes.
Second-That nobody should be excluded
on account Of race or religion, since those
ho Iioc0ntoDtaN nd would
defeat the first object OF the assembly.
namely, the pacifcation OF the country.
Third-That the assembly should not
be a patchwork addition to the present
bureaucratic institutions, but an entirely
new corporation. with distinct character
and powers.
Fourth-That the press should be allowed
complete freedom, that meetings should
not be niolested, and that personal freedom
should be guaranteed, otherwise the as
sembly would not truly and adequately
represent the sentiments Of the country.
NJ. Feodoroff spoke on the economic sit
uation which, he said, would improve only
when the people were allowed complete
liberty to develop the empires natural re-
sources.
The correspondent asserts that the depu-
ta,ion gathered that his Majesty approves
the main features Of NJ. Boulyguine's pro-
posals, which embrace an assembly on
principles contrary to all the points regard
ing which Prince Troubetskoi declared all
the zemstvos thought alike. The zemstvo-
lists will submit the matter to the central
zemstvo bureau at Moscow and will prob
ably call another congress to act upon their
report. They naturally intend to continue
the agitation for a genuine and paramount
assembly.
CONVICT ESCAPED IN SHOE DOX.