M. STOLYPIN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 29, 19 September 1911, Page 2

M. STOLYPIN.

31. Stolypin is just turned -18 yc-arr. of ago. A noble by birtn, ho hns I)ecn in the State service since boyhood. After a brilliant career at the St. Petersburg University, he was appointed to a sub-oftico in the Ministry of the Interior. In 1880 he van promoted to a district command in the Department of Agriculture. In 189.1 he became Marshal of the Provincial Xobility, and was appointed Governor of Grodno in 1902. Two years later lie was elevated to the Governorship if Saratolf, and at the end of a shoi t but useful service lie was called to St. Petersburg to assume the portfolio of Minister of the Interior. In this uTiee lie won fame almost, immediately. It was found that he was the only >no of the Cam’s Ministers capable of ommanding the attention and co-op-;ration of tiie Duma. Chiefly lor that •cason, when M. Goremykin resigned mo Premiership in 1900, lie succeeded to the vacant post. He managed the '.(fairs of the country so well that on Will January, 1907, the Czar pubicly tlianked iiim for his services and ppointed him a member of the Conn il of Empire. Early in the following rear 31. Stolypin was raised to the .auk of State Secretary, and ho persuaded his master at the same time to invest in him as Prime Minister rowers coterminous with those wcilded by the great Prime Ministers of France under Louis XIII. and Louis XIY. The history of 31. Stolypin’s career ;s Premier and Prime Minister ready like a story of the Dark Ages. He was not the Czar’s first choice as a Premier. In July, 1906, all Russia lay under the dreadful rule of revolution, temyism, and assassination. The -national interest required a strong and indomitable spirit to restore order in the troubled State. ,Nicholas sought among his immediate entourage in vain for such a man. None of his elder Ministers dared undertake the fearful responsibilities of the position, and none were willing to incur rim personal risk involved. Encountering refusals everywhere, the Czar liethought himself of 31. Stolypin’s popularity with members of the Duma, and sent for the comparatively unknown qua ntity. M. Stolypin cheerfully adopted the burden which no other Minister had the courage to take up. He announced his policy without a moment’s delay. Firstly, he would “restore order” at any and every cost; secondly, he would pursue a policy of “progressive reform.” The announcement made him the most lulled man in Russia. He had not been a month in office before his life was . twice ,attempted. The terrorists blew his house to ’ pieces, and a week later assailed him with bombs while -driving in his carriage with his daughter. His daughter was, dangerously wounded, -but ho escaped with scarcely a scratch. 31. Stolypin showed no sign of weakness dr fear. He pursued 1 his policy, with uliflinching determination, and very soon ho joined violent issue with the revolu : tionariefj. The succeeding four years form an appalling record of' social strife and human butchery.