New-York tribune., 1905-03-04
RUSSIANS HARD PRESSED.INO CHANGE IN SYSTEM.
Retain Control-PeopIe' s
Right to Plead.

ST. Petersburg. March Sat the Alexandra
Palace at Tsarskoe Selo. surrounded by the Min
lsteis and q few members Of the Court. and with
the Empress at his side. Emperor Nicholas this
afternoon affixed his signature to rescript COR
tanning his majesty's decree to give electe4 rep
resentatives Of the people an opportunity 10 OK
press their views in the preparation of the laws
of the empire.
This is the autocracy's final response TO the
agitation which has brough. Russia in the last
few months alnos. TO the brink of revolution
Its import must not be misunderstood For the
present. at least. it involves no change in the
system of autocracy. and it means neither a
constitution nor national assembly At the
same time IT recognizes the principle of the peo-.
PIES right to be heard regarding laws under
which they must live.
II is too early to estimate the effect of the
rescript on the popular movement for reform
but the situf n in the capital is grave 4
general strike was proclaimed at sectional meet
ings Of the workmen here day, and Iaborers
in other cities are expected TO follow this ex-
ample.
The text of the rescript follows;
True to the ancient custom Of the Russian
people of the expression Of its feelings to the
Throne in days of joy sorrow for the father
land, the nobility. zemstvo assemblies, CONNER
cial associations and peasant communities have
offered fron all parts II Russia cong "a tuIat tions
on the birth of the heis to the throne, with ex-
pressions of their willingness to sacrifice their
fortunes for the successful termination OF the
war and 10 devote ali their strength to the es-
tablishment of order IN the state In my own
name and in that of her majesty. ] order you
10 convey 10 them our hearty thanks for the
preston Of their loyal feeling. which. In the
present very grave times is ali ne more pleas
ing as an expression OF their willingness at my
call, to cooperate in the successful execution
OF the reforms announced by me- and is entire
ly In accordance with the wishes of my heart
My desire is to attain the fulflment of my
intentions for the welfare Of my people by
means of the cooperation of the government
with experienced forces of the community and
continuing the work of my crowned ancestors
10 retain the prestige of the Russian nation un.
diminished and to maintain order therein
AM RESOLVED HENCEFoRTH. WITH THE
HELP OF GOD. TO CONVENE THE woRTHIEsT
MEN POSSESSING THE CONFIDENCE OF THE
PEOPLE AND ELECTED BY THEM TO pARTICI
PATE IN THE ELABORATION AND CoSsIDERA-
TIoS OF LEGISLATIVE MEASURES.
Taking into consideration the peculiar cir
cunstances OF the Fatherland the multiplicity
OF Its races and, in certain parts of the country
the weak development Of citizenship Russian
rulers, in their wisdom. Instituted reforms in
accordance with their mature requirements but
m
sidering the continuation Of firm historical ties
with the past as a pledge for the dura bjlitv
and stability of the present.
In undertaking these reforms. | am convinced
that local needs and experience of life well
weighed, and sincere speech of those elected
will insure fruitfulness to legislation for the
real benefit Of the people.
AT THE SAME TIME i FORESEE ALL THE COM
PLENTY AND DIFFICULTY PRESENTED IN rIIE
ELABORATION OF THIS REFORM WHILE PRE-
SERVING ABSOLUTELY THE IMMUTABUJTy oF
I have confidence in your long administrative
Experience, and value your tranquil assurance in
appreciation of special conference TO meet
under your presidency TO consider means TO ac-
complish this my will
May God bless this good beginning May God
help you successfully to secure the welfare Of
the people confded to me by God
NICHOLAS.
The signing of the document came at the end
of a dramatic scene. the climax OF which was
Continued fourth pnEr.