Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-22
LOYAL TO THE CAR
Or. Wright's Impressions of the
Russian People.
HOPEFUL OF THE OUTLOOK
Looks for Restoration of Quiet and
Order.
EFFORTS OF PREMIER WITTE
Expects the Establishment of Gov
eminent With Liberal Constitu-
tion-Exile to Siberia.
EFFORTS OF PREMIER WITTE

OF ODerIn COliege, VINO mas just TetuTHou
to the United States after a stay Of six
weeks in Russia, gave a graphic descrip-
ton of the economic and political condl-
lions existing in that troubled country
when seen by a Star reporter at 20 80
street southeast, where he is staying for
short time before returning to Ohio
His visit to Russia was in connection with
a scientific and historic work in which
Oberlin College was interested. He is editor
of the magazine Records of the Past,
published by the Records of the Past Ex-
ploration Society of this city. DR.. Wright
has travelled extensively In the far east,
having made journey five years ago from
Port Arthur through Siberia to Russia. ~
a time when the Trans Siberian railway
was nowhere near completion.
DR.. Wright said that his experiences
while travelling in the cars land were
much at variance with the commonly &C
cepted views in America of the treatment
accorded strangers in Russia. Nor did the
differences between things as he had seen
them and the published accounts end there
His own observations had led him to the
conviction that autocracy was by no means
the powerful force for despottsm and OPP
preston that 1t Is pictured.
A Hopeful View Of the Outlook.
Dr. Wright expressed an optimistic view
Of the outlook for the settlement Of the In
ternal troubles Of Russia. Summarizing
the political affairs of the empire, as far
as he had been able to estimate them from
his personal observations and inquiries, ne
stated the belief that Emperor Nicholas ana
Premier White will finally succeed in re-
storing quiet and order and In establishing
the government on liberal CONSTITUTIONS
basis.
Accompanied by his wife DR.. Wright
reached st. Petersburg the list Of Septem-
Der. There was no disorder observable IN
the city at that time and no unusual dis
play of the military. The custom house
regulations were found to be remarkably
simple and easy. The baggage of the tour
lists was passed through without beng
opened At the hotel passports were re-
quired according to custom which IS gen
eral in other European countries. Df.
Wright said that this requirement was
never irksome or embarrassing. In seVerai
respects 1t proves a distinct benefit to ira
velers. One important advantage of the
system Is that it furnishes a record OF the
course followed by tourists, thereby enabling
their friends to trace them from point 10
point in case of trouble. This feature, Dr.
Wright said, had been favorabiy comment
ed upon to him by the American consul
During his stay in st. Petersburg DR..
Wright visited the Hermitage which ne
described as a beautiful temple of art, and
which, he observed, was as accessible to
peasants as to the nobility. He found no
restrictions whatever in regard to classes
placed about the full enjoyment of the pala-
tial building and its rare art collection;
After spending a week in st. Petersburg
DR.. Wright went to Moscow, and was In
that city when the zemstvo held Its notable
September meeting. AT the same time,
ALSO Mr.. William T. Stead, the Engilsh
journalist was in MOSCOW. He had come
direct from long personal interview with
the emperor, and was much interested In
the proceedings of the legislative assembly:
Mr. Stead told DR.. Wright of the kind and
even cordial manner in which he had been
received by the cZar, and had left the en-
peror very hopeful of the success of the
Imperial plans for the establishment OF
national legislature chosen by the people
In that meeting. 1t was recalled, the
zemstvo voted, with but one dissenting
voice in favor of the douma, the proposed
representative body. At the spring meet
ing Of the zemstvo the project had been
condemned.
DR.. Wright said ne found that the ex-
treme liberals desired constitutional as
sembly with universal suffrage-a thing, he
said. of evident absurdity to any one at all
acquainted with the conditions.
Power of the Communes.
DIR. Wrights observation of the character
and scope of authority of that peculiar body
known as the village communes revealed
some facts Of surprising significance. These
communes he said, were without doubt re-
s,,onsibe for fully half of the cases of exiles
sent to Siberia. He said it was the amaz-
ing power of these apparently insignificant
bodies to Danish persons TO siberia Tor Oh
lenses of a more or less trivial character
These communes he pointed out, are chosen
by the people of the villages.
Dr. Wright said that in his opinion the
explanation of much of the Russian trouble
was to be found in the arbitrary assumption
of unreasonable authority by the village
communes He thought they afforded an
unusual exponent of democratic ideas with
out proper restrictions. He declared the
conflict was between the autocracy of the
emperor and the democracy Of the COM
munes These latter bodies, he said, were
very jealous of their authority, resenting
the mandates and resisting the officers of
the car, and thus continually melting DIS
order and discomfort.
OF the whole number of persons annually
banished TO Siberia, he said he had found
that political exiles made up only small
proportion. Most of those not sent into
exile by the communes are banished for
crimes of more or less enormity, and after
due process of law by jury trial. DR..
Wright referred to the abolition of capital
punishment In Russia, and called attention
to the necessity of some adequate means
of punishment for murderers and assassins.
DR.. Wright said that the Russians have
an unwritten constitution, based on re-
ligious rule, customs and traditions, which
the car himself cannot touch.
Loyalty to the Gear widespread.
DR.. Wright believes that the great body
of about 10000 600 Slavs, constituting the
nucleus of the empire, will hold together in
support of the car and the fatherland He
was convinced that the mass of these peo-
ME had remained at heart loyal and pa
trIotic. In support Of this he referred to
the constancy of the army in refusing to be
affected by the frantic efforts of the revolu-
tionary leaders to stir up revolt. He men
toned the case of the Moscow regiment,
which, under misrepresentation, behaved
in A manner to bring the soldiers under the
suspicion of disloyalty IL not of open re-
bellion. From what he had learned of the
affair he was convinced that the troops
were deeply grieved at the unfortunate
blunder and earnestly petitioned their Off
GERS to be given q chance to wipe out the
stain upon their honor.
The Empires Financial Condition.
Dr. Wright declared the financial condi-
ton of the empire to be in a much better
state than 1t Is represented to be by pub
Hcations in this country and in England.