The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-03
GAR now FAVORS REFORMS.
MUST MEET STRONG PRESSURE
FROM GRAND DUCAL CANAL
Denial That lie Has Granted n Constitu.
ton, Coupled with n Declaration for
Better Labor Laws-Fear That He
WIN Again Yield to RcactionarIes.
,efai ca6la Df,DatcAt, TO 1HE suS.

80 q % bHopNht, EtO iHc hLO'e
sent to the London Telegraph yesterday.
to the effect that the Car had signed
ukase granting constitution. was tele-
graphed back to this city IL has excited
a semi-ofilcial statement declaring that
the report Is inaccurate The statement
adds
1t was probably based on the following
circumstances The Council OF Ministers,
az already announced, had rejected motion
made by NJ do Witte, that 1t should reoord
its opinion in regard 10 the incidents Of
Jan. %, and should adopt measures u
prevent tho recurrence OF such events,
on the ground that 1t would exceed ito
powers in so doing,
'Thereupon NJ de Witte. whose special
opinion was entered upon the minutes Of
the council. submitted to the Emperor
memorandum. which his Majesty APP
proved. The Council OF Ministers held an
extraordinary sitting on Jan. 81 to discus,
this memorandum, when the question Ok
an inquiry into the evunts was discussed
to prepare a scheme of social Legislative
reform with special reference TO the ques-
ton OF labor
FEAR ANOTHER HASog IN PoLIcr.
This official notice Of foreign oorrs-
spondent's announcement Is novel d.
parture. 1t will be seen that it confirms
rartinIlv tha informati IN which tha
correspondent placed his Utopian intsr'
probation Of Magma Charta and con-
stitution. and makes q formal admission
Of the Emperor's new attitude in favor Of
important reforms.
This attitude In any other country would
signify complete change in the situation
1t is impossible. unfortunately, to count
with confidence upon the permanent d.
velopmsnt Of the now policy
The Car has listened at last 20 the coun-
sells OF prudence and common sense offered
10y certain of biz Minister'S. who have dared
to put the situation In its true light before
him He Ia convinced OF the reasonable
ness OF their recommendations. AMI it ia
undoubtedly his honest intention at the
present momsnt to adopt them. The first
effect will be to bring down on him the full
force Of the grand ducal influence, which
Eve weoks ago induced him to abandon
his intention TO grant the main demands of
the zemstvos' programme.
We may expect. az then. a hurried visit
OF Grand Duke Sergius from Moscow and
the unemployment OF whatever arguments
and threats have heretofore served to turn
the Gar from liberal policy with perhaps
moro drastic ones added.
His Ma iesty's position Is in fact more
piiable than ever. He has again given
evidence Of his good intentions. hut in
manner which will speedily expose him IN
grave peril at the hands of his reactionary
encourage unless he yields once more to
their behests.
CARS ONE HOPE or REALLY RuIIHo.
There Ia, indeed. but ono way in which
he could effectively establish reform rule
in Russh without exposing himself to
almost certain assassination He might
secretly authorize a man like NJ. dc Witte
TO make preparations for r coup d'etat,
by which the Car would he suddenly
rescued from his entire surroun dings and
established under n faithful guard in another
palace. whence he could give orders for
sweeping out the whole OF the rascally
official crew, including, Of course the
Grand Dukes. Il would require courage
and great force OF character 10 adopt such
a course, and It is not expected that the
Emperor could summon up sufficient resolu-
ton for 80 radical a step.
NEW STRIKES START UP.
Meantime yesterdays conclliatory at
utude and vague promises Of reforms are
not meeting with thu popula. responses
that was expected Tho authorities were
surprised to-day by fresh strikes in two
Of the principal cotton mills and large
iron works The sole reason for the strikes
was TO make a protest against the TN.
representative character OF the so-caled
delegation OF workmcn received by tn,
Gar.
To-dny's strikers who had returned to
work Monday. conn lain that the men sent
TO Tsarskoa-Selo were individuals SOLICITED
by the authorities and wers not chosen
by the worlunen, who repuliAte them
There Is little doubt that some pratsnce
OF granting concessions will be approved
oven by the r,actionares, as they realizs
that the country cannot be ruled by bayonets
alone, and that an attempt must b. mad,
TO gain some degree Of popular good will
The test will be when it Is discovered,
whether there is any real substance in the
reforms. The Cars present mood Is 10
grant genuine measure Of popular liberty
and even the creation OF legislative body
with real powers. 1t remains 70 be seen
whether the reactionaries will reduce his
intention TO mere words or empty promises
as they did with his Christmas proclaIna-
tion.
PLAN or RBFoRus VoR woRKISoMEE.
~ Kokovtsef. Minister Of Finance, eI-