Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-30
CONSERVATIVES STAND BY AUTocRAc>
Would Have the Representatives Of People
Only Advise the Emperor.
SHOW FEAR OF WRITTEN CONSTITUTION
Says Englands Laws Are Development of
Customs Of People.
RADICALS DESIRE A DIFFERENT SYSTEM
Would Have Russian Government
BASED on western ideas, with the
Cars Power Limited by
Popular VIII.

MOSCOW, July 29-(special Cablegram
10 The Bee )-The disposition of the Rus
slams of the educated classes to insist upon
the holding of the zemstvos. And the dis
position OF the autocratic and despotic
forces in Russia to prevent these gatherings
has created situation as interesting tf not
more interesting than anything that has
been before developed in the history OF the
Russian empire.
The political ferment which has agltated
Russia since the outbreak OF the war with
Japan has already resulted in the formation
of two clearly defined parties in favor OF
reform. one of which may for convenience
be termed conservative" the other 'Apn-
sttutional," The former party asserts that
Russia's political development must proceed
upon lines peculiar to the country, while
the other maintains that in this stage in the
worlds history there is only one type of
a government possible for civilized nation.
Both of these parties are bitterly opposed
TO the existing autocratic beaureaucratic re-
gime and agree in believing that some form
OF national representation is essential TO the
reorganization and future welfare of Rus
sia Their differences became apparent dur
ing the informal meeting of members OF the
zemstvos which met in st. Petersburg
from November 10 to November 21 of last
year They unanimously acknowledged the
necessity Of permanent representative as
sembly, but differed with regard to the
character which II should assume. The ma
tority held that the representatives of the
nation should exercise a constitutional
check upon the authority of the czar; that
the autocracy in short should become linn
tied monarchy of the western Europe type.
The minority. among whom was the presi-
U NJ t,
be in favor of maintaining the imperial
authority in its integrity
Radical Feeling Grows.
During the interval which elapsed be-
tween the ST. Petersburg meeting and the
more formal congress which was held in
Moscow from May TO May s, 1906 the
attitude of the majority became more de-
eided and uncompromising. so that several
! members who had been regarded as ex-
:. tremists at st. Petersburg were surprised
10 hnd that in Moscow considerable num-
her OF their colleagues had already out
stripped them. This reinforcement of rad
ical feeling was due. no doubt. partly to the
impression produced by the unhappy events
of January, partly to the encouragement
given to political speculation by the i'm
perial rescript of March 3, addressed TO the
minister of the interior.
sympathy with M. shipof had also had
time to define their attitude more precisely.
In March the marshals of nobility of twen-
ty-two provinces met to discuss the cars
rescript and published the results of their
deliberations in special memorandum.
They pointed out that for the last ten
years the general dissatisfaction with the
bureauoratic-polce regime had been
steadily growing, and that "the war had
revealed the inadequacy OF oUr political
system. while internal disorders have dis
closed our civil and spiritual demoraliza-
ton" After declaring that the czar's re-
script summons ''all friends OF law and
order regardless OF their political opinion, "
20 Join in constructive work for the re-
generation OF their country. the signatories
OF the memorandum warn their readers
that;
In entering upon a new political life we
we have before us not only work but CON
fict Among those engaged In the public
able group, closely united and strong by
virtue of the personality of those who com.
pose IT, which looks favorably upon the
theories of constitutional government exist
ing In western Europe. There can be nc
doubt that this group will endeavor to give
strictly constitutional direction to the
Forthcoming political reforms This tend
ency must In our opinion be resisted. We
OF government familiar TO western Europ,
excludes the possibility OF ali other forms
There Is no reason to suppose that thu
word In the matter OF political organization
Russia Must solve Problems.
We affirm that the greatest empire in III,
world can and must work out an independ
up with the peculiar conditions Spiritual
social. geographical and other forms of III
existence. we assert that no form Of gov
ernment can be permanent which does no
closely correspond with the life and though
OF the bulk OF the population We deciar
emphatically that only the autocracy, sup
ported by the active cooperation OF repre-
sentatives of the nation. Is capable o
satisfying the needs OF the many races rep
resented Ia the Russian empire and of III
many interests and classes, the peasantr!
above all, The representatives OF the ma
must be the medium through which tn
car is brought into immediate contact will
opinion. They must not limit HIS autocrati
power after the model OF the constitutional
forms OF government They must put al
end to the arbitrary procedure of govern
nlent officials, by faithfully informing IN
monarch Of the pressing needs Of the peo
right OF discussing all proposed laws elabo
rated in the ministries the representative
OF the nation must themselves be empow
cred to initiate proposals for the maxim
OF new laws or for the repeal OF laws al
sny Violation of the o1 Sws Sy the exeeSS
authorities and for the security OF libert
of conscience. Of the person and Of speech
ministers who remain responsible to tn
emperor. They must have the right TO dis
cuss the imperial budget and to control ex
pendituras.
some MOBILES object.
A "Rejoinder." signed by twenty-five
mobiles to his memorandum, furnished b
NJ Khomiakoff. one of the principal spokes
men OF the party OF NJ shipon, with a
opportunity for further calculating IN
views OF his political friends. NJ, Khc
maikon Is a shrewd and practical mar
an excellent speaker, man who is nc
likely TO fail TO blay an important pal
in the Russian representative assembl
Whenever that body may meet. Two intel
esting questions were raised by the twenty
three mobiles In the first place. they Oh
jected to the frequent occurrence OF th
word right" In the memorandum. poini
ins out that the imperial rescript speak