REFORMERS IN RUSSIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4341, 23 March 1882, Page 4

REFORMERS IN RUSSIA.

The Czar has at last conceded a measure of justice to tho peasantry by signing a ukase for tho relief of the peasants overburdened by the redemption payments established at the time of emancipation, 1861. The plan, as finally adopted, is a modification of that originally introduced by Loris Melikoff and M. Abaza. It provides for the reduction of these payments by twolve millions of roubles yearly. Tho Czar, who appears to be in a very conciliatory Btate of mind just now, haß also pardoned the Polish bishops who were exiled to Siberia after the insurrection in Poland in 1864. Though ho has been muoh troubled by the action of tho Nihilists, and looks ten years older than when he succeeded toi the throne, it is dear that ho possesses an iron energy, and that though he may break he will nevor yield, and should any of the Nihilists attempt to frighten him they will be completely mistaken. Even against assassins he will not recede one single inch, but will abide immovably by what he considers his duty. All who know him are well aware of this. He resembles his grandfather, the Czar Nicholas, rather moro than, his murdered father Alexander, who was too yielding and indulgent. Such qualities ill became a Czar, who, it is contended, ought to be a man of iron and of inflexible will. If the Czar is not this he will lose control over hiß vast Empire, with its sixty millions of inhabitants, two-thirds of whom, it is to be regretted, aro uncivilised, and only manage■ablo by the most stringent rules of obedience and discipline. Otherwise the Czar will become a tool in the hands of different parties. It appears that the Emperor is bent on many social reforms, and that now the whole Court, including the Czar and Ozarina, speak only Russian, except when conversing with the Foreign Ambassadors. Everything that is not entirely Russian, in custom, in language, in food, in dress, and so forth, is now re- ■ jected. Only persons of Russian nationality are now advanced to high offices. The Czar has made known the fact that tbe entire Russian army, except the Guards, will henceforth only be dressed in tho well-known uniform of the Russian peasants. This is another victory of tho Old Russian party. German and French books and journals are now much loss read in St Petersburg and everywhere else than was the case even a year ago. Foreign languages, too, are now comparatively/ neglected, even in the military schools. Great economy is now practised at - the Court, which does not oost half ' so much of late as formerly. Moreover, the Czar is opposed to the Grand Duke's sojourning a long time abroad. He is eaid to have requested his brother, the Grand Duke Via- , dimir, who wished to spend the winter in ; Germany or Italy, to return immediately with his wife to Buesia, "as that was the proper place for Grand Dukes."