The N.Z. Mail PUBLISHED WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1904. “AN HOUR OF DESTINY.”

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 49

The N.Z. Mail PUBLISHED WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1904. “AN HOUR OF DESTINY.”

In the language of Marcus Aurelius Russia may he described as experiencing at present “an hour of destiny.” The nobility are desirous of pushing on the war with Japan with all possible haste to a final victory, while the poor but partly-educated classes clamour for its cessation. If the Czar himself, is a humane man, and a lover of peace, as he professes to he he would side with the people ; but he is a victim of the bureaucracy of which lie is head, yet powerless to control, and he is forced to continue a horrifying and wasteful war. Meantime, the people’s demands for a greater measure of self-government are becoming more- insistent. They have now put forward a charter, that plainly tells us the population of Russia is almost one thousand years behind the British in civic freedom and rights. The Czar would, however, solve the position by compromise. He is willing, it is alleged, to appease the people, yet he is afraid to offend the nobles: and so Russia is divided on the question of local selfgovernment. and the war is being used by the nation as a fulcrum by which the civic advantages of the people may be raised. Men and women of sentiment dread the final issue, but the student of history will regard Russia as being threatened with a revolution that is absolutely necessary to her future wellbeing. Unless a larger measure of local reform is granted, unless the rights of citizenship are- enlarged the discontent must spread and open rebellion be but indefinitely postponed. Disgusted with tee proposals of the bureaucracy the Zemstvos’ delegates at Moscow have disbanded because the Czar’s proposals towards reform could not be calmly discussed by the delegates. Workmen in assemblies declare for “peace"’ and “freedom,” but in declaring for “freedom” in Russia, they place themselves in conflict with the authorities; and the question is—Who shall prevail? Meanwhile distressing pictures of the industrial state of Russia are being presented to us every week in our cabled intelligence. The country is largely living upon its credit. It borrows fifty-two millions and no sooner is that enormous loan secured than another for nearly half as much is announced. The demand of the war for men lias depopulated certain districts, and where that has happened. ail industries have been affected. Thousands of breadwinners have been drafted off to the war. As many families have become burdensome to those remaining, while they in turn have to bear the increased burdens of the State due to the conflict. Throughout the provinces the agricultural population are feeling the distress quite as much as the artisans in the towns. The harvest has been a poor one generally, and in particular districts a failure. Added to this the oppression of the tax-gather-er has been increased. Whatever stores of grain the peasantry may have had have all been sold to help in providing the sinews of war for the Government of the Czar. These conditions have not been improved by the advance of winter and the distress in the industrial centres is at the present time appalling. The peasantry have no interest in the war. They have heard but little of the Japanese and know far less. They are also- absolutely ignorant of the cause of the Avar, and care nothing about Manchuria. They do know that the Czar is their “father” and to whatever he wills they faithfully submit. Unfortunately for the quiet of Russia to-day the will of the Czar is not accepted by the educated and industrial classes, and throughout the more enlightened of the Czar’s subjects the seething discontent may develop a revolution. Steps are being taken to solve the difficulty and bring about improved conditions and relationships, and this week the municipality of Nijni Novgorod is urging a conference of all mayors “to discuss the necessary changes in political and social life.” Of the necessity for the changes all are agreed, hut the Czar does not yet seem to realise l the exigencies of a desperate situation.

But is the Czar in earnest about the desirability of instituting reforms at home and maintaining peace abroad ? It seems he is fitful and vacillating. In a moment of righteousness he proposed the Peace Conference, and designed a programme -for the disarmament of military nations- When the Conference took place, the dockyards and arsenals of the Czar were working with greater vigour than ever. When he Signed the Manchurian Convention, the Czar undertook to evacuate that territory fifteen months ago; his remaining after the 12i.1i of October, 1903, and virtually repudiating a solemn compact with the nations precipitated the war. It will be said, of course, that the Czar is the victim of liis Advisers, but he has last word always, and he could have insisted on evacuation and maintained peace. Tile educated Russian even doubts the sincerity of the Czar. Nicholas 11. is loud in his professions of huumnitarianisin; but his income is eight millions sterling, and thousands of his people are on the verge of starvation. The Romanoff estates yield two millions annually and this is spent in maintaining so many pauper dukedoms. The Czar is full of magnanimity towards the outside world. He would maintain the best of relations with, the peoples of various nations, but be permits the oppression of the Finns and Poles within his own boundaries. In his book, “Russia! What she was and what ehe is (M. Jaakof Prelooker, editor of the “Anglo-Russian,” observes that “the present Czar, the peace-loving Nicholas 11., by one stroke' of the pen abolished the ancient constitution of Finland, and levels blow upon blow on that once happy, prosperous, highlycivilised, and most loyal people. In various cases the Czar has personally by his own will reversed the course of justice, such as it is in Russia, in the interests of personal connection ? and favourites. Thus, for instance, an action was brought against Princess Imeretinsky by her late husband's heirs. Ihe princess privately petitioned his Majesty to intervene on lier behalf, and he ordered the plaintiffs to be non-suited against the decision of the law.” Thus it will be seen that the Czar is largely responsible tor the condition oi his country, and this hour of Russia's destiny may be fraught with goc-ct or ill to ins people as he may determine.