Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-03-06
BETWEEN TWO FIRES
Car of Russia Beset by Great
Contest Going on Between Re
actionists and Liberals
STRUGGLE FOR AscENDANcy
The Rescript Granting People Voice
In Making Laws Was Actually Ready
Three Months Ago, But Party of
sersius Prevented Its Proclamation
4 Tho Situation.

4 Tho Situation.
st. Petersburg, March 6.-The history
Of Fridays imperial rescript, as author
itatively disclosed to the Associated
Press, sheds an Illuminating light on
the struggles for ascendancy between
the forces of reaction and liberalism,
which are raging about the emperor,
again compelling one to draw parallel
with the French revolution and i'm
pressing the truth of Prince Bismarck's
famous remark that everything King
Louis XVI did to preserve his throne
came day too late.
Substantially, the decision to per-
init representatives of the people to
participate in a consultative capacity
in consideration Of projected reforms
and preparation Of laws had been TAX
en- by TIN. emperor three months ago
on the advice OF Prince Sviatopolk Mir
sky, and had been actually incorporat-
ed in clause Ill of the December man
4lCSlO. 11ACG AnIlShy AOSAAS WGAo SCS
on this scheme, making it a condition
Of his continuance in office; but, at the
last minute, yielding to the pressure
Of the reactionaries, led by Grand Duke
Sergius and Mr.. obedonosteff, pro-
curator OF the holy synod, it was
stricken out, and Prince Mirsky, I'M
der the sunshine Of whose inspiration
the hopes, Of the whole nation burst in
to bloom stepped down. Had Emper-
or Nicholas then chung to his original
resolution, many painful events since
the first Of the year, including the as
sassination OF his uncle, Grand Duke
Sergius, might have been avoided.
The project on much broader lines,
was again revived by Mr.. Termoloff
three weeks ago at the meeting which
opened the weekly cabinet councils I'M
der the ,,mperor's direct presidency.
The Rescript 10 Born.
The emperor insisted on preserving
the principle Of autocracy, and some
divergent views also developed among
the ministers. Between that meeting
and Fet ruary "a the ministers COM
promised, their differences. When 1t
was presented the proposal contained
the rescript. His majesty, without
withholding his definite approval, asked
that it be placed in concrete form. This
was done in the intervening week. The
text is believed to be largely the work
Of Finance Minister Kokovzoff, altho
the Associated Press is not in position
to affirm it.
s. In the meantime Prince Mestci1ers
sky, who is the editor of the Crash
DAMN the reactionary organ at the
capital, and who always has enjoyed
large Influence at court, drew up a
draft OF Friday mornings manifesto
as counter poise to the rescript just
as Grand Duke Sergius had prepared
the communique which accompanied
the December manifesto. Prince Nest
chersky sent the draft to Mr.. Pobed-
onostseff, who wrote a letter to the
emperor recommending 1t. The mani-
festo w.ls signed and issued after mid
night OH Thursday, without the know
ledge o.. consultation with any of the
ministers, who were tt1understruck.
But on their arrival at Tsarkoe Selo
Friday afternoon the ministers were
relived when the emperor informed
them that the manifesto would not in
terfere with the rescript, which he had
resolved to sign, explaining the con-
nection between the two as stated In
the Associated Press dispatches Of
March 4.
Ministers Were Fearful.
II Is a fact, however, that the min
listers were so fearful that some adj
verse Influence might intervene before
It could appear in the regular morning
edition Of the Official Messenger OF
Saturday that it was made public in
stantly on their return to st Peters,
burg, and at the same time the min
listers ordered Its publication in a spec
tal edition of the Messenger
Notwithstanding the paeans Of praise
with which some Of the Russians papers
greet the document, hailing 1t with
such expressions as "tiie dawning OF a
new era for the Slav race" The
Rubicon of mfstrust has been crossed"
sthe moment for which we have been
thirstirg with trembling. longing and
tortured souls has arrived" and 'tthe
voice OF the people at last will be heard
In the councils Of the empire there is
the greatest diversity of views as to
what is actually intended, but by evil
dent design all translate the imperial
rescript as a promise of real legis-
iative chamber, on which they intend
to make the fight. Extremists, who
demanded an out and out constitution,
deride it,as a delusion and a snare; but
thoughtful liberals, who are convinced
that the autocracy intends to yield as
little as possible, to believe they have at
least secured fulcrum for their lever
and that the emperor, like Aladdin,
has rubbed the lamp and called GENT
into being, but that he will not be able
TO control the new creation when it APP
pears.
A CONGRESSMAN INDICTED.
Federal Grand Jury cbarn.. Hin,