Evening star., 1920-01-29
.DWSES NICHOLAS
ONCLASS REFORM
<aiser Gives Gratuitous Sug.
gestions on Appeasing
Class Agitation.
Copyright. 1920.)


The year 1905 witnessed the out
break of the unsuccessful Russian
revolution which followed close on the
disasters suffered by Russia in the
war with. Japan. The conciliatory
policy of Sergius Witte, minister of
finance, who had been trying to meet
the need of the peasants and indus
trial laborerS by reforms, was re-
placed by the oppressive ministry of
Won Plehve when Witte was dismissed
in August. 1903. Plehve was assassi-
mated July %. 1904. and the govern
ment replied with further repressive
measures, directing these particularly
against the small nationalities that
sought relief from oppression. In No
vember, 1904. the Zemstvos asked the
czar for freedom of speech. conscience.
religion and the press, in December,
1904. the zemstvo presidents held a
congress in Petersburg and again ap-
pealed to the czar. The latter issued
manifesto promising reforms, but
insisting on the "autocratic empire"
The discomfort came to a head on jan
| uary %, 1905, when Father Gapon led
a crowd of strikers to the winter pal
ace in Petersburg to lay their griev-
ances before the czar in person.
, Troops opened fire on them and sew
eral hundred were killed. This is
known as Red Sunday. 1t was fol-
The kaiser comments on the unrest
in Russia and suggests the formation
of an imperial council with advisory
powers only.
The original letters of the kaiser to
the czar were copied in the secret
archives of the soviet government in
Moscow by Isaac Don Levine.
KAISER Asks Data ON Peace.
berlin. January 2. 1so5.-Dearest
;al- hov kt ind
letter and New Year cards. which are
well executed. The Cossack charge
is most effective and one cannot help
thinking what might have happened II
at Liaoyang Gen. Samsonoff had rid
den a charge like that with his 1900
sabers and lances against the Japan
left wing. The news of the fall of
Port Arthur received here yesterday
evening created a very great sensa-
ton. We all here feel deepest sym
pathy for the valiant generals and
the brave diminishing band of heroes
under their orders who strove to the
utmost and last to fulfill their duty
toward their emperor and their coun-
try; their defense of Port Arthur will
become proverbial for all ages and
be upheld as an example to be emu
lated as long as a soldier will exist.
Honor to them forever, The immi-
nence Of the fall Of the doomed fort
ress had for some time already set
the diplomatical tongues wagging In
the different capitals OF the world;
many and different were the rumors
and news of armisticeS and even peace
ARRANGEMENTS which reached me from
everywhere. 1t being rather difficult
to discern truth from invention of
phantasy, / hope you won't fancy that
I intrude upon your privacy when
address myself to you to beg you to
tell me what your plans for the fu-
ture are. SO that, II possible. I may
make myself useful to you and be en-
abled to shape my course OF my pol
icy. The more SO, as Lambsdorh told
Alversleban the other day. Que IA
(AThat France already knows our con-
ditions.) Now, 1 prefer being in
formed by yourself directly, instead
in a roundabout way through other
agencies, as / have firmly stood to
you and your country from the first
as your faithful friend.
Has an Eye to Business.
"Now that the program for the re-
newal of your fleet has been publish
your authorities to remember our
great firms at Stettin, Kiel, etc; they
will, 1 am sure, furnish fine speci-
mems of line of battleships. Believe
me ever your most affectionate COUSIN
and friend. WILL
BERLIN. February 6. 1905.
Dearest Nicky: You have been
through serious troubles from the ef-
fervescence and agitation among the
lower classes. I am glad your SOL
diers showed themselves reliable and
true to their sermon (oath?) to their
emperor. The reception Of the depu-
tation of workmen-who seem to have
been i'll advised and partially goaded
into striking by agitators - made a
good impression everywhere. as 1t
showed them that they could see In
the face of their 'vaterchen' (iittle
father) if they asked for this honor in
due form. Many and most vague are
the plans for reform in your country
as far as 1 can make out-but the
most sensible and best adapted to its
people and their customs seems, to my
humble notion. the formation of
body of men chosen from the best and
ablest heads in the different 'Zem-
stvos.' This body would be attached
to the imperial council and to 1t
could be given any question OF tmpor-
tance having a vital interest for the
whole Of Russia. to be worked out and
prepared for the imperial council;
also men well versed with the special
theme under discussion could be CALL
ed upon to give their advice. being
chosen from every part Of the people
ad hoe.
Keep I'm Touch With Glasses.
And the comble (climax) would be
If you from time to time presided
yourself, SO as to be able to hear as
many different men as possible, in
order to be able to form a correct
judgment on the question before
them. Just like did in 1890. when
called in the great committee for the
elaboration of the social laws for the
working classes. after the great
strike. and which 1 presided (over)
for weeks. In this manner this body
would be able to provide the imperial
council with every information 1t
wants, enabling you in the same time
to remain in touch with the great
bulk Of the lower classes; thereby in
suring to the latter every means to
make themselves heard in matters ap-
pertaining to their welfare, and thus
forming a direct canal of communica-
tion between the simple folk and their
emperor and father Besides, you
would be able-on account of your
own information-to keep good watch
and control on your imperial council
and the committee of Minister'S to
see the work by them is done as you
wish and your people want; this way
insures the executive (underlined)
once for all to the 'autocratic car
(underlined) and not to a leading
minister with board Of helpless COL
leagues blindly following his lead.
With best wishes for a better out
look for you and your country and
much love to AliX, I remain ever your
most affectionate cousin and friend.
"WIILY"