New-York tribune., 1905-01-28
RUSSIAN EXPRESSION.

The Russian rebellion is TO be repressed, II
possible, by screwing down the safety valve.
That appears to be the determination of the
government. 1t is not unexpected. Indeed, it
has seemed to be the logical if not the inevta BILE
thing ever since the refusal of the Emperor to
listen to the peoples recital of grievances and
prayer for relief Such being the case, it may
be regretted that the government has gone out
of its way to put a transparent mask over
its purpose. The proclamation which was is
sued on Wednesday in the Emperor's name pro-
tests that 1.-The government is now ready TO
listen attentively to their the peOple'sl Just
desires. That will ring hollow and worse than
hollow in many Russian ear. 1t will sound
like cruel mockery for did not the people at the
beginning of this trouble seek to present to
the Gar their homage and their grievances
and, instead of listening attentvely' to them,
did not he, or his Ministers, refuse to hear them
and order the troops to fire upon them when
they strove to approach the palace? That may
be a crude and elemental view to take of it
but the common people of Russia are somewhat
crude and elemental, and there can be little
doubt that they will take precisely that view of
the case. They will say, How can we believe
the government will listen TO us now, when it
would not do so Oh Sunday lastY
1t may be that the insurrectiOn will be- for a
time the more easily repressed through the
workingmen's need of returning to profitable
employment. Many will probably be induced
by the promise of shortened hours to resume
work and abandon the rebellion. Those who
still hold out may be beaten and shot into sub
mission by the troops. But we can see no rea-
son for altering the opinion expressed at the be-
ginning-that this is not merely an industrial
strike, but political rebellion. and as such it
cannot be permanently disposed of by any such
means The people have made up their minds
that not merely industrial amelioration but rad
ical political reforms are what they need They
have also-and this is one of the most ominous
features of the case-largely lost faith in and
reverence for the Gar. Hitherto they have
bracleted his name with that of God. and have
believed that all their woes were unknown to
him. If they could only get to him and let him
have come to feel that he is unwilling TO listen
TO them and is' careless of their welfare. In
stead Of regarding him as their Little Father
they regard him as a despot. In that they NAV
do him injustice; but. right or wrong there is
only too good cause for believing that sucb is
their mind concerning him.
The safety valve may be screwed down again
and the insurrection be brought under control
but that will not be the end of it, week or
a month hence the situation may be more grave
than ever. The incident of last Sunday marked
the beginning of a new era in Russian history
the establishment of a new relationship between
the Car and the people Trust was exchanged
for distrust. affection for antagonism Wbetber
the lost confidence and affection can be regained
is prOblematic. There can be no question that
the spirit of revolt once aroused as fully as if
now seems TO be- will retain its vitality and re-
new its efforts until either it is annihiIated as
even Russia can scarcely do to-day or it has
magnited revolt into actual revolution.