The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-09
LULU EXPECTED
 IN THE STORM Calm May Intervene in Rus sIa Pending January
 Struggle GOVERNMENT IS STRIVING u RtllEvE UISCUN lEN l Petrunkovitch Wants Witte's Place. Successful Propagation of Social istic Doctrnes-"Union of
 All Russian People"

St. Petersburg, December ', via Eydtk- huenen, East Prussia.-A period of com- parative calm lasting a few weeks may now supervene and both sides will use Heavy snows are likely to put an end to the reign of pillage, arson and mur- der, and the lull will give the government a chance to accomplish something tangi- ble. and the sober-minded an opportunity to reflect. The latter. however, will hardly enter into the equation. The radical edi- tors are already organizing a movement to defy the new press law. even before it is issued. This law abolishes the cen- sorship in cities, but not in the country While 1t is based on the principle of the responsibilities of editors, before the courts, 1t includes the inhibitions against the lese majestic penalties, fine and im- prisonment for incitations to strikes which threatens the safety of the state, and which may cause mutinies in the army and navy. Such incitations 1t Is said are also punishable with exile. As the pub fishers have agreed to act together, there certainly will be another struggle.
 With an eye to the future. the govern ment is making a great effort to relieve the discontent in the army by removing the causes of complaint. The sum of $1s,- 900 has been added to the military budget for the improvement of the sol- diers' food and clothing, though the Mos- COW zemstvoists say they are ready to support Premier witte on the conditions laid down in the resolutions. of the con- gross. M Petrunkevitoh h6, ieyes that the idea of cooperation is ncN too late. aud that the only salvation for the govern ment Is the retirement of Count Witte ministry and it's replacement by "a min istry having the confidence of the peo- pie"
 Wants to Succeed Wltte.
 M. Petrunkevitch. who, himself is credit ed with harboring the ambition to suc- ceed Count Witte premier, modestly declined to suggest a proper man when questioned on the subject, saying that 1t was the prerogative of the condition. But he emphatically expressed the opinion that a real liberal ministry would in stantly change the situation, and rally to support not only the zemstvoists but the constitutional demands in general, and the great mass of the orderly disposed people who have not associated them selves with the socialistic revolutionists.
 Though many of his colleagues might be ready to accept or compromise suf- frage on an indirect basis for the coun- try, personally M. Petrunkevitch was of the opinion that the peoples hopes were oo i,oiU 6iFent and secret suffrage, that 1t was doubtful whether the elections could be held under any other system Besides M. Petrunkevith was skeptical as to whether M. Witte's gov ernment would accept the compromise off, fered He believed the reactionary infiu- ences might refuse to go beyond the plan for the extension of the suffrage to the workmen of the cities, the educated classes, merchants and pensions paying $120 rent annually.
 Socialism Gaining.
 M. Petrunkevitch was much alarmed at the successful propagation of the social istic doctrine among the peasantry He said:
 "A single agitator promising a socialis- tic state and private lands, can inoculate thousand Mujiks with blind passion to appropriate land without regard to the rights of others, and accomplish work which a generation of good government could not create. The need of the hour is liberal ministry to begin the realiza- ton of social reforms toward the better ment of conditions of the peasants, and workmen, but drawing firm line be- tween realizable forms and socialistic dreams, and thus gradually wean the people away from the paths of agitation and discontent."
 M. Petrunkevitch concluded with prais- ing Father Gapon, who he said was preaching the right doctrines to the work men.
 Union of People.
 The Union of all the Russian People" formed of all reactionarary organizations which participated in the landlords con- gress at Moscow is displaying great ac- tivity in founding in branches to resist the revolution, and arming It's members to fight the strikers. In St. Petersburg 3OO0 persons have been enrolled and the city has been divided into districts each under a leader. The result is sure to be street fighting in the event of general strike The union has drawn up an ad- dress to the Emperor In favor of the au- tocracy, and implorlng his majesty to grant only consultive functions to the national assembly. and not to take the great step of abdicating the autocractic power without following the traditions of his ancestors and consulting with all the estates convening in the zemstvo, and on zemstvoist platform designed to secure the adherence of the peasants, two of It's blanks to be the restoration of order. In many regions of Russia the local authori- ties are practically unable longer to pro tect the estates, both owing to the insuf- ficiency of the troops, and the temper of the inhabitants. The military com manders have secretly notified the land lords that it Is doubtful whether the troops will fire upon the peasants if the soldiers are split up In small detaeh- ments.