The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-25
AU7OCRACY IS DEAD;
GAR KNOWS TRUTH.
Emperor Prepared to Lay Aside
Despotic Power at
Proper Moment.

Chicago, March "a A staH cor
respondent Of the Daily News in Lon
don cables regarding the present situa-
tion in Russia, his story being based on
a conversation with a well-known Rus
sian diplomat just returned to London.
According to the correspondent this
diplomat says in the first place that au-
tocracy is ended and that the car HIM
self has no illusions on the subject. He
recognizes that vast change has
already taken place and is absolutely
prepared to lay aside despotic power 1T
the proper moment. He only retains It
now because there seems to be a great
possibility that the new constitution
will be complete failure and he de-.
sires to reserve the right to abolish the
douma and start afresh with clean
slate and new scheme.
No one in Russia approves the con-
stitution as laid down in the late mani
festo. The douma combines all the
disadvantages Of universal suffrage
with none Of it's advantages. The up
per house is q body that is selected and
brings together all the elements Of
reaction. A radical majority is al
most certain in the douma despite the
boycott Of the elections and there is,
therefore, an extreme probability that
the two chambers will come to logger
heads Immediately. -..-.
Menace of Disaster.
The only hope to avoid disaster is
that the two houses will refrain from
open rupture so that the douma can
work somehow. Unfortunately the
long delay has embittered popular feel
ing and the radicals are unwilling to
accept today what they would gladly
have accepted year ago.
This delay is partly due to the recent
strikes and still more largely to the
fact that. Count Witte, unwilling to
meet the douma with empty pockets
postponed the elections, hoping against
hope to raise a foreign loan. Now
that the Morocco affair is practically
settled the government hopes to float
the loan before the douma meets in
May. It is certain that Germany and
France will find the money, but it is toe
late to withdraw now and they must
keep Russia going to avert financial
ruin involving all Europe.
Regarding the general feeling Of the
popula ton, the. diplomat says that
three-ffths of the people demand a
constitutional form of government. The
majority prefer peaceful means. The
extreme radicals are responsible for the
Moscow strike and the rising in the
Baltic provinces. In both cases they
relied upon the popularity of the revo
lutionary movement and the refusal of
the troops to shoot. In both respects
they were disappointed. This gave
the government new courage and
strengthened the hand of the reac
tionaries. Consequently the present
regime is more ruthless than was
Plehve in depressing disorder.
Hopelessly at Sea.
! Meanwhile the large mass Of the PEG
pie Of various shades Of liberal. opinion
are hopelessly at sea. They have nc
policy, and no leaders, exert no infu
ence on the result, and leave the felc
81 tirely to the blacks and reds, il
which unequal struggle the reds are
apt to 60 to the wall.
Tue Jewish question is another grea'
difficulty. All classes, said the diplo
mat, hate the Jews, who supply larg'
anarchist element. If ten men ar
caught throwing bombs, eight are SUR
to be Jews, and hence it is extremely
difficult for the government to shov
moderation. Yet, despite the manifold
dangers, hope still remains, if the dou
ma works at all. Anyhow, the success
of the violent revolutionary party il
unlikely, since while the moderate
hold aloof, the reactionaries are to-
strong for the extremists. Whateve
happens, Count Whites day is past
His growing d1ctatorial manner has es
trangsi everyone. If the douma take
real hold it will soon dispose Of WHITE
If the doumu fails, Witte will have NJ
voice in drawing up the new constitu
tion. His present illness is preparing
the way for his political extinction.
For a Russian Loan.
Paris, March 24.-It was stated tc
day by a member Of the corporatio
known as the ''Agents de Change,
) who control the destinies Of the Pari
bourse, that as soon as the Algebra
conference was finished, Russian loa
would be issued kere on 31a per cen
bombs, to be sold at 90. The amour
( Of the lean has not been decided. II
t quiries IN financial circles today eicite
the reply that If such loan wer
: foated, the prospects appeared goo
/ that it would be taken up Immediate
: and without difficulty. The ccnfdenc
;. of the French people in the ability c
: Russia to meet its financial obligation
is being fully restored. Russia IS acti,
0 ity in furthering conciliatory issu
t an easy explanation.