New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-06
SAD RUSSIAN HOLIDAYS
Desitution 4mong Workmen- The
Premier Hay Retire.

-,.-,,,,ro Ian 1.-THE Russians love
nothing So much as their holidays, but depresseu
IN sri-it and purse in these revolutionary DAYS"
- celebration Of the Russian Christmas, or
srn5av next. viii be q sad one. The streets OF
the capitaI have put on q pitiful semb4ance Oh
holiday attire but the heavy buying, character
istic Of the prodigal Russians in former DAYS -
moi noticeable, while IN the industrial sections
~ v-orlrner exhausted by long series OF
strikes. are without money for Christmas trees.
The holidays. however. promise period OF
comparative quiet, the proletariat organizations
having decided TO refrain from activity unIll
they are ended.
TIE "Noyoe Vrernyas is printing a series OF
articles III defence Of Premier Witte which are
attracting much attention, and are assumed to
be inspired by the Premier himself. The most
important statement made is that White mas
taken a definite resolution TO retire as soon as
the National Assembly meets With the turn
ing over OF the reins of power TO the peoples
representatives he Will regard his task as
finished
The whole course OF affairs since the reform
manifesto was issued is attributed by the paper
to the refusal OF the Conservatives to support
the government It is explained that many re-
forms we're not promulgated because every Dill
Of leeway given was seized by the reds" to
finally the government, being without the active
support Of the conservative classes, was forced
In self-protection 10 adopt repressive measures.
Even then it refrained from taking action until
temporary laws had been promulgated, and dur
ing the interregnunl there We're no laws While
the government did not desire TO act for fear Of
aroUsng indignation the revolution gained
Roadway. TIE policy it is now following is
solely for the purpose Of making possible the
holding of the elections and accelerating the
convocation OF the National Assembly.
The government however, realizes that it is
impossible 10 hold elections IN the Caucasus and
Baltic provinces, and does not believe that the
National Assembly can be convened before April
The Premier, after the failure of his efforts TO
secure an alliance with the Conservatives and
Moderates, decided TO hold aloof from all par
ties, stand on the terms of the manifesto and
'@it iais eotiritias to the convocauon of the Ma
tonal Assembly. The government is yet uncer-
tain in regard TO the result of the elections, but
II Is confident that the parties of law and order
Will have majority.
Al the rumors that Count Whites post is IN
Danger are characterized as pure invention. The
writer Of The article says
Witte Is as Arm in the saddle as ever His
health is good, and he is proceeding on the con-
Hicnon that at least three-Quarters of the Rus
revolution
mere are signs, however, that the policy Of
OPPRESSION may be carried to a point which Is
sure 10 again arouse the resentment and dis
eOH'ent Of the classes which shrank from the
F4Osfsmne Of violence. In st. Petersburg the
"Noesale searches OF the police have been sue
Seeoeo by particularly offensive measure of
INC reject. which practically gives the dvorniks.
y mousse porters. a free hand TO search private
'4s4hgs for arms and suspicious persons for
1Ocutents. II offers a reward of 80 cents for
N-s discovery OF every revolver or bomb and %
N1S Ior knife. Such q measure naturally will
arouse the cupidity Of the house porters and re-