The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-16

nobility slsCt sOms. the universities some
and the zenstvos some.
The Duma does not recognise the Council
Of the Empire a. q coordinate branch OF
the Government and will not be slow To
express itself In favor OF a radical change
In the method Of selecting the members
Of this upper house or even Its abolition
II Il stands in the way Of measures which
have a large majority In the Duma.
/ LOOKING FORWARD.
What will be the outcome in Russian
A Russian would hardly venture a pre-
diction and for ar outsider prophecy 10
sven more hazardous. The situation could
scarcely b. more complicated.
Generations OF misrule have brought an
accumulation Of questions, all pressing for
solution. The DumA wants a great many
things lone and wants them done at once.
while the Government, II IL remains under
the influences Of q bureaucracy, will give
as little az possible.
So far the Government has been unfortu-
nate in that 1t has delayed making conces-
sions until still greater concessions are
demanded.
The programme Of the present Ministry
has been 80 completely repudiated that the
Emperor may find IL easier 10 appoint a new
ministry than to humiliate the present one
by compelling it TO propose what IL has
heretofore refused. II a new Ministry is
formed and the Duma is consulted about
its personnel Ivan Petrunkevich will proba-
bly, be the Premier.
He Ia a member Of the Duma and the head
Of the parliamentary organization Of the
Constitutional Democrats He has already
proposed a Constitution to Nicholas II. II
the Duma is d~isregarded and a Ministry
formed from the Emperor's present advis-
ors IL will at least be more liberal than the
one now in ONCE.
FUTURE or THE DUMA.
The Duma is a permanent institution; II
could not be abolished by imperial decree
without endangering the Crown itself and
it cannot be dissolved or prorogued with
safety. h Government must, thereforel
treat with the Dumaa and agree to such oom-
promises as may be necessary TO maintain
peace between Executive and people.
The officials, too, are learning from the
Duma something about the science OF gov.
ernment. When there was no ono to speak
for the people tho Gar could claim to
voice their sentiments. He can claim this
no longer.
When the people were denied q hearinga
the OIuClAlb COuNu OChy NA@s ~ PVOPA~
| desired reforms, but the officials cannot
put their unsupported opinions against .
unanimous Duma. The elections have
shown how Insignificant a support tho
| Government has among its subjects, and
these figures contain a warning which even
the bureaucracy cannot disregard.
Does the Government rely upon the arnnyf
The soldiers are drawn from the people
and serve for three years, q half million raw
recruits being enlisted each year. Ii It
possible that they can DO different in senti-
ment from their fathers and brothers?
In three years the Russian army will
be made up OF men in hearty accord with
those who speak through tho Duma. With
out an army to rely upon what answer can
the bureaucracy make to the legislature
ONE COURSE ron THE cZAB.
The Gar has already suffered much at the
hands Of his advisers. He is no longer the
idol that he was, and reverence for the
Church has absted somewhat as reverence
for him, its temporal head, has decreased.
What can he do?
There is but one course open to him. He
asked the people what they wanted and
they have told him. As he I'M doubt
tina they have told the truth, he must
either accept their answer or confess that
he does not mean to consider their wishes.
II he would appoint q new Ministry pro-
pose a measure guaranteeing freedom OF
speech and freedom Of the press, recon-
mend an agricultural bank TO protect the
peasants from the small money lenders,
recall the exiles, release political prisoners,
and invite the leaders Of the Duma 10 con
fer with the Ministry in regard to the land
question. ne would be restored 10 the af0O-
ton Of his subjects and nave no reason TO
fear bomb throwers or hostile criticism.
He would find a hundred and thirty
millions of loyal subjects a much stronger
bodyguard than a few hired soldiers. His
position is a difficult one; because his en-
vironment is u~nfriendly to the bridges
behind him, he must go forward.
RUSSIA NOT D~EcAYrNa.
Russia is not ~decaying. She has extent
Of territory, abundant natural
and an immense population. To be sure,
a majority Of her people were serfs until
a generation ago, but there is no race dis
tinction between the nobility and the peas
antry, and with education the extremes OF
society are being Drawn closer together.
That Russia has q great future is not
open to doubt. What experiences she may
pass through before she emerges q free,
self governing and prosperous nation no
one is wise enough to ~foresee, but people
who have sacrificed as much for liberty "a
have the Russian patriots have in them
the material Of which mighty nations are
made.
The Duma is ready to do its part. Will
the Government rise to the occasionl Time
alone can tell.