The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-06
Reached Decision on Reforms Three Months Ago But YieId-
 ed to RsactIolaies
CHANGED HIS MIND AND
 DISTURBANCES OCCURRED
Pessure Exerted by Sergius caueed Waverng Emperor to Check His Former Resoluton-The Sit
 uation is Still Critical,

St. Petersburg, March 6. 1:l5 a. m.-The history of Fridays imperial rescript, as 1t has been officially disclosed to the As- soeiated Press, sheds a curious illuminat- ing light upon the struggles for ascend cncy between the forces of reaction and liberalism, which are dragging about the Emperor, compelling him to draw par allel with the French revolution and i'm pressing the truth of Prince Bismarek's famous remark, that every thing King Louis XVII did to preserve his throne came a day too late.
 Substantially the decision to permit representatives of the people to partlei- pate in conclusive capacity in consid- eration of projected reforms and prepara- ton of laws had been taken by the Emperor three months ago and on the ad- vice of Prince Sviatopolk -Mirsky and had been actually incorporated in clause of the December manifesto. Prince Sviato- polk -Mirslxys heart was set upon this scheme, making 1t a condition Of his con- tnuanee in office, but the last minute yielding to the pressure of the reaction arles led by the Grand Duke Sergius, and M. Pobedonestzeft procurator of the holy synod it was stricken out and Prince Sviatopollk-Mirsky, under the sum shine of whose inspiration the hopes of the whole nation burst into bloom, step ped down. Had Emperor Nicholas then chung to his original resolution many painful events since the first of the year. including the assassination of his uncle might have been averted
 M. Lermoloff again revived the cause on broader lines. three weeks ago. at 8 meeting of the cabinet council under the direction of the Emperor
 Principle of Autocracy Preserved. The Emperor insisted upon preserving the principle of autocracy and some divergent views also developed among the ministers. Between that meeting and February 24. the ministers compromised their differences. When he was present. ed the proposition containing the rescript, his majesty, while withholding his definite approval asked that 1t be placed in con- crete form This was done in the inter- vening week. The text Is believed to be largely the work of Finance Minister Kokovzoff, although the Associated Press Is not In a position to absolutely affirm it.
 Tn the meantime Prince Mestchersky, who is the editor of the Grashdanin. the reactionary organ at the capital, and who has always enjoyed a large influence at court drew up a draft of Friday morn ing's manifesto, as counterpoise to the rescript, just as Grand Duke Sergius mad prepared the cOmlnunluue WHICH companied the December manifesto. Prince Mesteherslxy sent the draft to M. Pobedonestzeff, who wrote letter to the Emperor recommending 1t. The manifesto was signed and issued after midnight on Thursday without the knowledge of, or without consultation with any of the other ministers, who were thunderstruck. But upon their arrival at rsarskoe-Selo Friday afternoon the ministers were re- leved when the Emperor informed them that the manifesto would not interfere with the rescrpt, which. he had resolved to sign explaining the connection between the two as stated in the Associated Press dispatches of March 1.
 Ministers Fearful.
 It is the fact, however. that the min isters were so fearful that some adverse influence might intervene before if could appear in the regular morning editions of the official messenger of Saturday, that 1t was made public instantly upon their return to St. Petersburg. and at the same time the ministers ordered it's publication in a special edition of the Messenger.
 Notwithstanding the praise with which some of the Russian papers greet the document. haillng 1t with such expres- sions as "The dawning of new era for the Slav race" "The rubicon of mistrust has been crossed" "rhe moment for which we have been thirsting with trem- bling, longing and tortured souls, has arrived" and "The voice of the people at last will be heard in the councils of the empire" there Is the greatest diver sity of views as to what is actually in- tended; but by every one Is evidently de- termined to translate the imperial re- script as a promise of real legislative chamber upon which they intend to make the fight. Extremists, of course, who demand an out and out constitution. deride fl as a delusion and a snare; but thoughtful liberals. who are convinced that the autocracy intends to yield as lit- tie as possible. believe they have at least secured a fulcrum for their lever and the Emperor like Aladdin, has rubsed the lamp and called genii into being: but that he will not be able to control the new creation when 1t appears.
 A great fight must come on Interior Ministers Bouligans committee, upon which the liberals have already demanded that zemstvos be represented. The decis- ion has been taken to keep the action at white heat and strike while the iron is hot In this the liberals will have pow erful support in high quarters, within the government What they mainly fear is delay and the cooling off of the people into the apathy of fancied security of victory achieved. At the same time they hope the general situation will amelior- ate, and especially that there will be no repetition of terrorism, Certainly, the rescript has created a powerful impress sion.
 The disorders which were predicted here and at Moscow for Saturday and Sunday did not occur, although the strike situa- ton here appears distinctly more threat ening. The authorities profess great hope that the rescript will completely change the attitude of the vast bulk of the work men who really are only demanding economic reforms by a strike, but are easy victims to a propaganda of their