REFORMS IN RUSSIA

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 34

REFORMS IN RUSSIA

THE POLICY OF REPRESSION.

ST. PETERSBURG, December 12

The struggle between the Grand Dukes and M. Mirski continues. The Czar is wavering, though inclined to support his Minister. The Grand Duke Sergius insists that the suggested reforms mean revolution.

December 15.

Great importance is attached in Moscow to the municipality's unanimous resolution urging the absolute necessity fof the following reforms : — (1/ Legal protection of the subject against official caprice. ;2) Repeal of exceptional laws. (3) Freedom of conscience, creed, press, and meetings should be guaranteed. (4) The definite embodiment of these reforms in the Constitution, with the aid of freely-elected popular representatives. (5) The establishment of public control over the Government.

December 19.

Serious peasant excesses occurred atVolhynia. A large Cossack force is restoring order. Three thousand Moscow students demonstrated outside Duke Sergius's palace. The Cossacks chai'ged them, wounding -60 and arresting 300. The students expected the co-operation of workmen, but the . employers, by threatening to withhold New Year's presents, induced the J worJsmen. Jo abstain: . , - ; * r,« Russian editors are warned that the publication of petitions for the abolition of autocracy will be regarded as criminal. They are forbidden to x-efer to the question of representative government.

PARIS, December 15.

The Temps says M, Mirski has been given a free hand) for a while -owing to the fears of the Czaritza and the Dowager Empress that the infant heir might be assassinated , unless the people are pacified by some immediate system of reform.