New-York tribune., 1905-08-04
SEES HOPE FOR RUSSIA.
Glars. FRIEND SPEAKS.
Sir Donald Mckenzie Wallace on the
Reform Increment.

helm the other day with the Cars ambassador
of peace. On the dock they parted. the quiet
man getting into cab and driving away without
giving order. Yesterday II became known that
Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace, who is staying at
the Netherland Hotel. Mr.. Wittes companion.
On the steamer he with Mr.. Witte much of
the time They friends of long standing 1t
was the Car himself that brought the to-
gether.
The Gar is warm personal friend OF Sir
Donald who is also we'll liked by King Edward.
Years ago he to India as chief officer
of the British government and was there when
the present Czar-then Czarevitch-was making
his tour through the East. Sir Donald is known
as the greatest living authority Russian af-
fairs, and even at that time acknowledged
as one of the few who knew enough of Russia
and its history and laws make him in
terestng acquaintance To the countrys future
ruler. The friendship that sprang up at that
time has ripeHed with years and il is from the
Russian rulers lips that he has learned
much of the inner mechanism of the power be-
hind the throne
Sir Donald discussed the present situation it's
causes and the probable effects and the chief fig
uTes OF contemporary Russia.
THE internal state OF Russia" said Sir Donald
is result Of war and politics most difficult 10
describe The present movement has been going
on Tor over forty years-evcr since 1850 during the
reign of Alexander II. At tlat time and after the
Crimean War and the crushing defeats of the war
great moral revival sprang UP throughout the
country. Inc people recognized that the old sys-
tenn OF exaggerated autocracy practised by Ncho-
las was at best a debasement of their better
manhood. and demanded that a new system be in
troduced The fundamental idea was that Russia
Immediately should adopt all results of the best
governments of Western Europe They did not
could not-see the necessity of going through easy
stages. and consequently they sought counsel II;
the latest authorities and arguments. They adopt
ed the EXTREMIST of views. and came in contact
with the most sntiquated of the most auto
cratic form of government
Alexander III was wise enough to turn this new
form of enthusiasm into practical channels. and
carried through his complete system of the emanc-
patton OF the serfs. the still larger system OF self
government, anI a thorough reorganization of the
rotten tribunals Having done this, ne did not go
nearly so far as he could. nor nearly far the
people had expected and they showed the begin
ming of their revolutionary movement.
1T expressed itself i'm the childish form % proc
lamations from students and others of the younger
men. 1t frightened the Emperor and from that
moment. from being great refornIer. he began
10 practise his reactonary policy, and finally events
eliminated in 1881 in the assassinat tOn of Aexan-
der II. His SON Alexander Ill followed the
dictionary policy of his fathers reign. and the
mtiCnarY movement seemed to bc dead. 1T
manned dormant until i'm 1880 it was revived under
n form. called by its leaders Social Democ-
racy. and this resulted in strikes and other bene-
fits.
To-day there are three groups of revoiutonists in
three the second, the members of the Social De-
mocracy. who want constitutionaism a stepping
stone to sociastic reform. and third the social
Ravolutionsts. who desire reorga nzation at
once. With them there is no time for even ordi-
rary delay. To this last group belong the terror
lists. who the left wing of the army.
Now the government has hitherto halted between
two opinions, first allowing certain concessions and
almost Immediately adopting equally oppressive
measures. SO that the hopes raised by the conces-
WEI da she cd IN he and
scquenty. nobody was satisfied
For years those who have had liberal aspirations
have looked forward to the time when the govern
should find itself involved in war. and so soon
the present trouble with Japan brewed the
revolutionsts cried: This is our opportunity and
we must take advantage of it 'aa.aasI
Il wish if | can. to make clear the position oc-
cupied by the present Car and to picture his
personality.
Under constitutional government Nicholas II
would make a splendid sovereign. He has end
less good qualities. He has the best intentions
he is thoroughly patriotic and has all the other
qualities that constitute greatness in ruler AS
an autocrat he has none of the necessary decision
and energy that the in a. million possesses.
Il do not reproach him. Rather pity his being
born at this time when the Russian world is so
completely of joint.
His father never would have allowed things to
come 10 this pass. and would surely permit
the present public defiance that Is shown in the
open manner in which people speak and act
1t has been surmiSed and boldly stated in
some of your journals that the Gar has by his
recent expressions of weakness. rooted from the
hearts OF his people all affection for the little
father" Nothing could be more erroneous In
their hearts there is to-day great love and
rel crence for him. and il he would but assert him
selt-come out 10 them boldly-he would be the
idol of their hearts
He is more than mere constitutional sover-
eisn He Is the representative of all power and the
people are so attached to him. not only personally
but also for what he represents that if the consti-
tutonal amendments adopted and the de-
manded systems really were applied the peasantry
would give overwhelming majority for au-
toCracy.
To-day. if the peasant suffers he attributes his
misfortune, not TO the Gar but to the minor Off
full discipline Therefore, | repeat that did the
Car only know how he would cure the fiissa tis-
faction absolutely ana once for all.
The roacttonary vement now on foot was
started by friend Of mine: who is simply arous-
ing patriotic feeling. He cries that the empire is
in danger. Our fleets sunk Our troops are
GtlVen back and the governments hands are tied
come, let us rally about common n-erestr Il
Is really gigantic movement.
During the progress of the Japanese war have
Deen completely thrown out of calcula tionS ~
the well timed mln9uvres of the japanese. They
are the drect anutheslS TO the Russians. They are
exact; the Russians are ineXact; and while they
40 not lack in courage in force, in energy and In
pa tTiotisrn, they do lack in organizes ton.
1T is the same lack that has cursed them since
thal DAY: a thousand years ago, when they cried
TO the Scandinavian Viking and said
- Our land is great and abundant there is
no order in it. Come ana reign oVe- us
Just what the result of the present agitation
Will be am not seer enough to prophesy. but |
look for a final adjustment of the whole matter,
and that not in the too dim future