The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-02-09
NEW ERA FOR RUSSIA.
1T is CLAIMED THAT CAR HAS
SIGNED MAGMA CHARTA.
Mr.. Yermoloff, Minister of AGricul-
ture, Pcrsuades Ruler to Take Impor-
tant ep-Rcpresentativc Chamber
Under NJ. Witte Predicted.

In few days we shall witness a
political transforma ton scene as thor
ough and as amazing as anything that
modern pantomime or ancient fairy
tale can offer. Captives who lansuish
in the stone cells of the fortress will
be released tomorrow, their misde-
meanors forgotten. The press will be
allowed to speak freely, and later
Trepoff will be sent to Manchuria. In
ten days a brand-new representative
chamber will be created under the
magic wand Of the eX-finance minis
ter, NJ. Witte, and new era of pros
perity will begin for the Russian peo-
pie. Such is the latest political pro-
gram, writes DR.. E. J. Dillon, special
representative of the London Tele-
graph and one of the most reliable cor
respondents in the Russian capital.
Monday an extra sitting of the COM
mittee of ministers was held. at which
NJ. Witte, who has been unjuStly
judged throughout the present crisis,
threw his weight on the popular side.
Yermoloff Begs Czar for Reforms.
The same day Yermoloff, the min
lister of agriculture. had an interview
with the Car at the Winter Palace
TO present his periodical report. He
availed himself of the occasion TO
warn his majesty that the present
system of government had outlived its
usefulness, adding:
Without the assistance Of the Rus
sian people it is henceforth impos-
Sible to carry on the business of the
empire. Troops may preserve order
by violence, but cannot rule the coun-
try. The nation is anxious for closer
union with its Gar in the interests
alike of the dynasty and the people,
The Emperor sharply interrupted
the speaker, reprimanding him for his
impertinence and commanding him to
present his report. But YermolGff an
swered that, having discharged his
duty, he was at his majesty's service.
For the first time the Emperor lost
his self-cOntrol, and only after some
time did he wholly recover his normal
calm.
Declares Car Signs Constitution.
After considerable pause, during
which YermOlOff remained in an ad-
joining apartment, the Emperor re-
called him and heard him develop his
scheme for the pacification of the cOun-
try and finally commanded him to
take paper, pen and ink and retire
to the next room and embody his ideas
in ukase addressed to Witte by the
minister of agriculture. After lapse
of ninety minutes Yermoloff came
back with a constitution in his hand.
He read it aloud with unsteady voice.
The Car paced the apartment. but
asked no questions When Yermoloff
had finished, his majesty took pen
in his hand and signed the Russian
magma charta.
A friend of DR.. Diilon's who read
the document from beginning to end
enumerates among the essential
clauses the following points.
1. NJ. Witte, in the capacity of the
president of the committee of minis
tiers. is charged by the Car to fur
ther extend and develop the principles
Of reform laid down in the imperial
ukase of Christmas day.
2. His majesty commands that pen
sions be paid to the orphaned children
and cripples whose misfortunes were
caused by the action of the troops Oh
the historic Sunday of Jan. 20.
3. Order is to be restored through
out the country by peaceful methods
and the Russian people are to be in
vited to cooperate with the govern
ment. Those methods are to be left
largely to the discretion of NJ. Witte.
and may include the cOnvocation of a
zemsky assembly.