Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-01-11
81 WILL SAVE RUSSIA"
Witte Makes Important Statement tc
St. Petersburg Citizens.

St Petersburg, Jan. 10.-Premier
White "Wednesday made an important
delegation headed by the mayor of this
city which requested relaxation OF
the orders of the project of police
against meetings in the interest Of the
electoral campaign. The premier
could not promise to do anything until
Jan. 81. While personally ne did not
symrathize with the harsh measures of
Interior Minister Durnovo, he regard
en- them as essential.
The premier could not assume the re-
sponsibility for course which if it re
suited in bloodshed would make him
Il scapegoat. He spoke bitterly of the
failure Of the moderates to give the
government support, saying that upon
their shoulders largely rests the bur-
den Of compelling the government to
resort to repression. He added:
Tho Emperor in the manifesto of Oct
80 at one stroke granted the people
more rights than any monarch had
tituGe which Russian society assuraed
The governments appeals for conf
dence were rejected by the revolution
lists. The permission to hold meetings
was translated into license for street
disturbances and assemblages to plot
against the life of the government and
the industrial ruin of the country. l
have always been opposed to impress
sion, but the attitude of the moderates
compelled me to adopt harsh measures
l am determined to save Russia"
While the E'r,perOr wanted tho
uonal assembly to meet as early as
possible. Premier Witte said that those
charged with the election feared it will
be impossible for it to assemble before
April IS.
Speaking of the difficulties with
which the government was confronted,
the premier stated that many of the
provincial authorities continued to act
independently, instancing Moscow. He
added that the Moscow revolt was
more serious than people generally be-
lleved. Recounting a remarkable in
tice the premier said
AT one time all the stations but the
Nicholas depot were in the hands of
the rcvolutionists. The latter. in des-
reration. started train hauling two
1890 4'''''~u Win tS iIdllllte dt 1ulI speed
Ior the station with the intention of
blowing it up. A frightful disaster
was averted by q warning Of the an
thoritles To have military train ready
with steam up to clear the track. AS
the dynamite train approached, soldiers
strung alongside fired at the engine
and pierced the boiler. stoppine tn,
tram before it reached its destination"
In st. Petersburg the premier further
remarked that enough dynamite had
been captured TO destroy the entire city.
IN conclusion he stated that the laws
were being prepared to define the re-
iatlonS OF the council of the empire AND
the National Assembly. The former
would be composed of 17G members
haif OF them appointed by the Emperor
ahc half electe:. The latter would in
clude Zemstvoist members Of trade and
industry while the border provinces
you'd each have Representatives.
Inc latest news from Transcaucasia
IS that complete revolution prevails
IN Georgia and Mingrelia. The viceroy
is withdrawing all the troops available
north nj Flad'ka~Fa7 for service in the
revolutionary territory