Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-02

is powerful organization and has been
intrenched where it is for centuries.
Mr.. Stolypin explains that: Arrests.
suppressions Of newspapers and other
measures of an administrative character
are Indispensable under the present cir
cumstances; and we are obliged to take
stern measures to prevent popular misrule.
The tendency of newspapers has been to
destroy confidence in the government and
II is impossible for to proceed in the
courts against the persons who have been
arrested so long as there is so much public
excitement.
THE policy of reaction is the farthest
from the cars Wishes" continued the
prime minister. but it is necessary that the
revolutionists be suppressed before We can
introduce the contemplated reforms on a
definite basis of peaceful future for the
community / place implicit reliance upon
the patriotism and common sense of the
masses of the people, and / believe that
they will support his majestys ministry In
the effective repression of anarchy
There Is not the slightest doubt that Mr..
Stolypn desires and intends to introduce a
series OF very important reforms, and. so
far possible under the present circum-
toberist party, of which he was an active
member before he went into the cabinet.
Several of these reforms were declared ut
terly impracticable by Mr.. Goremykin, the
recent prime minister, in his communica-
ton of the duma. l told you yesterday
that the government had already decided to
adopt the Kutter plan for the distribution
of land among the peasants, which is very
liberal, and l have it from excellent au-
thority that it is proposed to issue an cdict
abolishing all restrictions against the Jews,
revoking all laws which except or exempt
any class of people and all special laws
granting privileges and monopolies. 1t is
proposed also tOa al Olish capital punishment
and to grant amnesty to all political priscn-
ers who have not been guilty of assassina-
ton.
The prime minister will not admit that
such measures have been decided upon, but
declares very frankly that a liberal pro-
gram has been decided upon, and that 1t
will be carried out as soon as the country
is tranquil. Mr.. Stoypin says that he be-
lieves that strength and firmness are re-
quired in the present emergency, not tyr
amy or reaction, humanity and not cruelty,
practical common sense and not cowardly
concessions and hysterical promises
He says the car was greatly disappointed
at the radical tendencies of the duma He
hoped that it would prove to be a sensible
and practical parliament. with which he
could work toward the regeneration of Rus
STA. but there were too many professional
and amateur agitators among the members
who had nothing at stake, either personally
or in their own constituencies in the ma
ton at large, and there were too many the
orists and idealists whose convictions We're
honest and benevolent, but impra cLca5le
and particularly untitled for g community
like that of Russia which has had no ex
of government He does not believe that
the program of the university professors in
the duma could have been carried out in
the most enlightened country in the world.
There two distinct movements in
Russia continued the prime minister.
First, social one, which includes very
serious agrarian. labor and educational
problems; and. second. a political crisis
which has been created by irresponsible
agitators. The former has all of our SYM
pathy. and will be the object of our most
attentive study; The second will be dealt
with as circumstances may dictate. Force
Is required in all countries, at times, to sup
press revolutions: but / cannot impress
upon YOU too strongly that there is no re-
dictionary measure in our program, and
that all reforms that are consistent with
and appesl to the highest and broaiest
spirit of liberalism win be carried out as
soon as the country is prepared for Them
No Faith in Sovereign.
Mr. Stolypin is trying to get liberal
cabinet, and the ear has authorized him to
make his own selections. He is having
great difficulty in persuading the men he
wants TO accept the responsibilities First
because they have no faith in the stability
of their sovereign. They fear that the re-
dictionary influences that surround him may
pull him away from them at any time.
And In the second place they will not accept
Office unless they are convinced that the
proposes can be carried out Twice before,
as l have told you in previous letters
have attempts been made TO form liberal
cabinet, and on both occasions it has
failed because the car has not been will
Ing TO adopt the policy that the liberals
have insisted upon. Now it appears that
he Is willing to make concessions and try
the experiment of attempting such reforms
as were proposed in the platform of the
Ocfoberist group. Therefore Mr. StoyIpiu
has invited the leaders of that party to ac-
cept portfolios.
Among Others on the list is Mr. Yermolofr.
formerly minister of agriculture who was
removed from office on account of his lib
eral tendencies. At one time he had great
influence with the ear, and is credited with
having inspired the manifesto OF March,
1880. which first declared the intention Of
calling parliament. Soon after however
Mr.. Iermoloff lost the confidence of his
majesty and the prime minister because
of his speeches before the zemstvo con-
crosses. in which he took an advanced posi-
ton concerning the appropriation of I'M
occupied private lands for the benefit Of
the peasants. Eie has since been severely
criticised for failing to carry out his own
program when he had the chance to do
SO as minister of agriculture, or, in other
words, for neglecting to practice what he
preached; but he has since explained that
his hands were tied by Mr.. Buliguine, the
prime minister, and other associates in the
cabinet. and that he could never obtain for
his program the sanction of the car. Mr.
Yermoloff was elected member of the
council of the empire, and is recognized as
the leader of the liberal element in that
body.
Shipof offered Place.
Another member of the council Of the
empire who has been invited to take the
portfolio of commerce and industry is Alex
ander Gutchkoff of Moscow, whom l wrote
about a few weeks ago. He is very rich
manufacturer. and for years has been a
leader In benevolent movements He has
recently returned from Geneva, where he
represented the Russian empire a the Red
Cross conference. He Is at the head of the
Russian branch of the Red Cross Society,
and as such was very active during the re-
cent war with Japan. During the South
African war he spent more than year in
Red Cross work among the Beers. Mr..
Gutchkoff is highly educated accomplish
ed gentleman, and his wealth, his large
financial and commercial interests and his
high character have permitted him for sew
eral years to express views so liberal that
they would not have been permitted from
an ordinary person. His brother Is mayor
of Moscow.
Another Moscow man who has been Of
fered a portfolio is Mr.. Shipoff, editor OF
the Moscow Gazette, which is pei haps the
,uyida tad