New-York tribune., 1906-05-05
AUTOCRATS SHOW FEAR.
CONCESSIONS TO PEOPLE.
Changes in Fundamental Lagcs Re
Uoked- Cabinets Plans.

st. Petersburg. May Am official announce
ment Of the composition Of the Goremykin Cab
met is expected tomorrow or Sunday The
slate as given by the Associated Press on
Thursday is correct unless there should be
change at the last moment NJ. Goremykin is
with Emperor Nicholas tonight.
In the face of the assembling Of hostile
Parliament. it is apparent that the Emperor
and the Court are trying desperately 20 obtain
the good viii Of the representatives by all man
ner of pacific assurances Now that Count
Witte has fallen, distinct impression is being
fostered that he WIS dismissed because he was
TOO reactionary, and It is announced that the
changes in the fundamental laws, Of which he
Is charged with being the author, will be with
drawn This promise is a great victory for the
Liberals, and accounts In measure for the
optimistic tone Of M. MilukofEs speech in the
Constitutional Democratic convention.
M. Schwanebach's statement to-day that It is
the sincere intention of Emperor Nicholas to
give to the people representative institutions,
and that he has intention Of dissolving Par
lament, is another sign OF the governments de-
sire to avoid a conflict. The prospects Of the
first Parliament achieving something have sud-
denly frightened. If the government is sincere.
however, the Goremykin Cabinet will be only a
temporary ministry. which will be succeeded by
a Cabinet representing the dominant party. 1t
is inconceivable that the opposition in Parlia-
ment will make a truce any other basis.
Already in the congress OF the Constitutional
Democrats the extreme wing has expressed itself
in favor Of war.
sharp fight is foreshadowed against the ef-
forts of the Moderate leaders to prevent the
adoption of a detailed programme. their plan
being to keep the direction Of party tactics in
the hands Of a central committee which they
control.
Prince Obolensky, side-de-camp to Emperor
Nicholas, has gone to Berlin. 1t is conjectured
that he goes on a special mission to Emperor
William.
NJ. Schwanebach, former Minister Of Agricult-
ure, Controller OF the Empire in the new Cabinet
and Premier Goremykin's chief lieutenant, sent
for The Associated Press's correspondent to-day
and requested in behalf of the new Premier that
it be announced to the United States and to the
world in the following official note that the new
ministry does not mean reaction:
His majesty the Emperor and the Premier, NJ.
Goremykin. have the full. honorable intention Of
CARRYING through the idea of national represent
taton. with all 1t implies. There is no intention
of dissolving Parliament. Naturally, unforeseen
circumstances may arise as in any government,
which may force such an unhappy event, but we
do not anticipate such a misfortune, as the ma
ioritv Of the members Of Parliament are lovers
of their country, and we do not believe that they
are desirous of forcing a conflict. The govern
ment
In obedience TO the elementary principles OF
Justice, and as satisfaction to the public con-
science, bills for amnesty, the abolition OF the
death penalty and the creation OF parliament
tary commission Of inquiry into the acts of gov
ernment officials will be presented
Continuing his explanation Of the reasons for
the fall Of Count Witte. 'the Cavour of Russia"
at the moment when apparently he was about to
reap the fruits Of long and arduOus campaign,
NJ. Schwanebach said:
The reasons for Count Witte's dismissal (for
his retirement IS not voluntary may be hard to
understand in America, but they are clearly due
to faults Of "A personal character and his inabil
ity to see and seize proper policy. At the very
beginning of his ministry when 1t was OBJ
viously policy and doubly duty to get in touch
a firm hand on the forces Of disorder and revolt,
he hesitated, and did nothing for six weeks.
Then in despair he was ready to welcome a die
tatorship, and allowed the f1ercest repression.
After he was beaten in the elections his crown
ing blunder was the proposed fundamental laws.
This decided the Emperor, who had been con-
sidering Count Witte's dismissal for two months.
NJ. Goremylxin called to form a ministry
WHICH would be better able to get in touch with
the Parliamentary majority.
We realize our position. which is akin to that
Of a singer who, when the star is suddenly in
disposed, appears the stage at a moments
notice in street clothes to sing the part The
Ministry may not satisfy all expectations. but
termined to do the best they can for the coun-
try The new Ministry will prove more liberal
than the old
NJ. Schwanebach's attitude toward Count
Witte is partly explainable by the fact that he
was one Of the ministers who were dismissed
when Count Witte assumed power.
-S