The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 2S, 1901. TROUBLE IN RUSSIA.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 117, 28 May 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 2S, 1901. TROUBLE IN RUSSIA.

Tiin.gcnoral impression of tlioso who have not studied tho internal affairs of Russia is that the disturbances reported in tho cablegrams to the Times are tho outcome a serious political agitation portending a revolution. We learn from one who has been a resident of Russia that quite an erroneous view is prevalent on tho subject. The daily reports of fresh outbreaks in Russia furnish surprise to those who are not familiar with the conditions of the internal affairs of tho

Russian Empire. Some are ready to conclude that Russia is on tho verge of a revolution, tending to break tho whole system of the Government ; others presume that the recent disturbances were of such a nature that they are likely to load to grave complications, the result of which cannot bo foreseen ; still others consider the reports sensational and exaggerated. Our informant states that it must be borne in mind that the Russian, as a rule,, by nature aud in accordance with his environments is of a passive disposition and indifferent as to his political status. Any demonstration against the existing order in Russia, however small, therefore becomes

significant and can be properly understood but by describing tho character of those participating in the outbreaks and tho nature of tho grievances they are based upon. The beginning of disturbances in the Russian universities dates back to the year 1565, to tho liberating of tho serfs by the liberal Czar Alexandra 11. The sudden changing of the social and economical conditions of tho mass brought about universal belief that a reorganisation of tho whole Government was at hand. But nothing of tho kind happened, and the outbreaks in tho universities during that period had a decidedly political aspect and were attributable chiefly to the agitation of tho nihilists, though tliore hardly was a connection between them and the students at largo at any time. ' Since 1885, when tho new regulations relating to the universities wore enacted, tho frequent outbreaks in tho various universities and high schools of Russia have an entirely different character. The now regulations transformed the. universities into military schools. The idea and purpose of these ukases apparently was to prevent by strict discipline any political aspirations of the students. But the administration failed in enforcing tho law and' the students revolted almost immediately after enactment of the now regulations, and tho disturbances in the universities of Russia have not ceased.

Tho principal objectionablo features of the regulations from tho standpoint of the students consist in the restriction of their academical freedom. They object to the rulo by virtue of which tho doorkeeper of tire university, an illiterate “ niushik,” has the power to control their daily appearance at the lectures, and persistently demand a repeal of the rules concerning the examinations. According to the latter the students instead of one examination at the end of each academical year, as it has been before, have to pass' several examinations in the course of each year, besides being compelled for the purpose of graduating to pass a special examination before a committee appointed by the administration and consisting of high officials or professors of other universities. There are, of course, many minor grievances, but all of tbom are of a similar nature and aeyoid of politics. The administration believes that an attempt to satisfy the demands of the students will destroy the discipline of the universities, and of late took recourse to the severe measure of enrolling disorderly students in the military servico and sending them to the distant provinces of tho Empire, The students, on the other hand, became more desperate, and. uprisings in the universities of Eussia at present are an every-day occurrence, There is, in reality/ no .political significance in these outbreaks, though the university affairs undoubtedly are greatly harmpered, A striking feature' of the outbreaks in Eussia, according to the reports, is tho unwillingnoss of the military forces to subdue tho disturbances. The Eussiau army may be called a national one with more reason than any other army in the world. The officers of tho Eussiau army aro not like the German or French officers, a distinct class claiming a superior status in their relations with civilians. The Eussian army by no means is a pretorjan army. The Eussian officers, with the exception of those of tho Imperial guard, aro sonc of the people and their manner of life is plain and democratic. Receiving a very small salary (a lieutenant recoives about £8 7s per month and can advance but very slowly], he has no possibility of indulging in any of the habits so

peculiar to the military cast of Europe, The officer of the Russian army as a rule is a modest gentleman and earnestly devoted to his duties. There have been various ukases recently issued to lift up the professional pride of the officers of the army. It has been, for instance, ordered by ukase of the late Czar Alexander 111. that an officer when insulted is bound to light a duel, and in case of refusal to do so ho is compelled to resign. In the recent outbreaks in the streets of St. Petersburg the workingmen, and especially the hands of the factories, situated on the outskirts of that city, demolished various Government stores or saloons on the principal street of St. Petersburg, Novsks Prospect. The fact of the common peoplo participating in a-disturbance started by the students was commonly considered as a proof that Russia is ou the verge of a revolution. Por a proper understanding of this fact it must be stated that the Government of Russia has monopolized tho manufacture and sale of all liquors and | of vodka (whisky). Drinks are sold exclusively in saloons or stores kept by the Government, and the regulations concerning the sale of them are very strict. So it is prohibited to sell whisky by the glass, and it can be bought but by the bottle of a certain specified quantity. It is also forbidden to drink in the saloon itself, and the purchaser must depart with his bottlo without delay. These restrictive rules are deeply hated by the workingmen, and their wrath therefore was first of all directed against the saloons, kept by the Government. But the administration aud tho Czar are by no means synonymous in the eyes of the masses, and the Czar is still the idol of his peoplo. The discontent which seems to spread in Russia is based upon economical wants. Tho farmer is helplessly poor, and abandoning tho plough goes to the city to work in the factories, and the demand for hands there being small, his wages barely cover the most necessary expense of living in tho city. He is unable to pay tho land taxes and to provide for his peoplo in the country. Russia, indeed, is faco to face with an economical problem of the gravest kind, and those who have doubted the sincerity of the Czar in issuing his manifesto calling a peace conference have overlooked tho gravity of the internal affairs in tho Russian Empire.

An ordinary meeting of the Borough Council will be held to-night. The I-lon. J. Carroll is likely to arrive at Gisborne on Wednesday morning. The Gisborne portion of the ’Frisco mail should come to hand to-morrow morning. . Tenders for the delivery of gravel and stone at the Gisborne wharf close at noon to-morrow.

Tenders close on June sth for falling 850 acres of bush, in three sections, at Motokio. The Gisborne Woolbrokers’ Association holds its next sale of wool, sheepskins, hides, etc., on Friday next. Yesterday, Mr and Mrs E. 11. Ingpcn, of the Karaka, celebrated their silver wedding. Hearty congratulations. At Wesley schoolroom to-night Mr E. H. Buckingham delivers a lecture on voice culture. There will be no charge for admission. The Free Lance says that the comet has been commandeered by King Dick for the" illuminations on the occasion of the Koyal visit. Samples of stone have been brought in both from Kaiti and Whataupoko, and in each case a face is being opened out for testing purposes. A Southern widow has put up a record by paying 20s in the pound to the creditors who wore left lamenting by her late bankrupt husband.

Gisborne people are still pondering over the engineer who advises draining into the Waikanae and the health officer who favors the idea. A pet wether of Messrs- R. and A. Cameron, killed yesterday, weighed 1681 b. For the past three seasons it has yielded 181 b of wool. The Poverty Bay Hunt Club had a run on the Waikanae yesterday, a hare being started. A good run ensued, there being only one mishap of a minor nature. Captain Edwin reported yesterday :■ “Strong west to south-west and south winds; glass rise ; tides good; sea heavy on coast ; and weather very cold.” Mr G. 11. Norris has been appointed 'agent for the North Queensland Insurance Company, which is an organisation of high standing in the world of commerce. At the Police Court yesterday, William Andrew was fined 10s and 7s costs for riding a bicycle at night without lights. A “drunk ” was convicted and discharged. The Government Veterinary-Surgeon, Mr Neale, has nearly completed his inspection of the dairies. So far, things have been found to be very satisfactory.

Among those going to Rotorua to take part in the welcome to the Duke will be Mr Koliere, who goes as special representative'of that well-conducted Maori journal, the Pipiwhararoa. ' A report of the successful concert held last night appears on the fourth page of to-day’s Times ; also a batch of late telegrams, On the first page there is a report of an interview with the Hon. J. G. Ward. The welcome soiree to the Rev. B. F. and Mrs Rotkwell takes place in the Theatre Royal on Thursday evening. The chair will be occupied by Mr John Tombleson* An interesting programme has been prepared. A monster prohibition meeting is to be held in the Theatre Royal nest week to consider the proposed addition of a now

licensed house at Gisborne. During the meeting Mr Buckingham is to give an address in reply to Mr'Lysn&v. . A suggestion has been made that the Union Company should try and arrange for an excursion trip from Gisborne to tile vicinity of the Ophir, as that vessel is proceeding with the Royal party past Poverty Bay, from Auckland to Wellington,

The East Coast Mounted Rifles have been presented by Sergeant Toniblcson with trophies, to bo given in the class-firing this year. Members are warned to get into practice before the class-firing comes on. The ranges this year, except for recruits, arc 200yds, 500yds, 600.yds, and 800yds. Practice will be hold on Thursday next at the Haiti range. Many young people desire to learn, shorthand, but in Gisborne have not the facilities for so doing. By request Mr C. G. Piesse has decided to form classes for tuition. Mr Piesse was for years a member and also secretary of the Gisborne Phqnqgraphic Society, au institution which became extinct after many young men had, through its aid, become qualified writers,

Mr Sampson, Chief Postmaster, informs us that the Department has decided to discontinue the Opotiki overland mail service at the end of this month. No further mails will be sent by this route. It is considered the service has not been a sufficient success to continue it at present, but the matter will be re-considered in the spring. A post office has been opened at Kanaokanae as from the Ist of June.

A meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of David Reid was called for yoster- ' day afternoon, but lapsed for waut of a quorum. The debtor and his solicitor (Mr E. J. Ohrisp) were present, but no creditors attended. It was stated that there were only three creditors, and that all the assets ha<T been' taken by legal action. The Deputy-Assignee (Mr JColeman) said that he must declare the meeting lapsed for want of a quorum,