West Coast Times THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1901. RUSSIA'S CRITICAL CONDITION.

West Coast Times, Issue 11918, 23 May 1901, Page 2

West Coast Times THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1901. RUSSIA'S CRITICAL CONDITION.

However much the extensive military operations in China may bave^ occupied the attention of the Czar's Ministers and

Russian diplomatists, they have net had the efflcfc of diverting the mind of the vast body of the people of Russia from grievously oppressive burdens. Noth.ng may stay RussYs raaich eastward ; she may absorb Manchuria, and probably the cause of civilisation will be benefited by her doing so. But no successful military or diplomatic conquests in the Far East, nor whatever advantages the substitution of her more v : gorous rule over that of inert China may confer on that portion of Asia, will appease the glowing spirit of discontent which permeates the whole F.ocial fabiicof the Empire in Europe. Recent events in the great centres of Russia have demonstrated how acute is the social unrest throughout the land, of :he Czar. It is not confined to one particular cla«s, but is equally apparent in nil sections of the people fiom the humble moujik to the noble ; rich and poor alike are animated with a strong desire for a decided change in their form of Government, for the exercise of greater individual liberty and a popular share in the affairs of the conntry in the shape of representative institutions. Russia h becoming more and more ripe for a deteimined revolution. It is not possible that a people like the Russians should be content to stand still and not bu affected by the spirit of progri sj ai.d human evolution to which the intellectual nations by their side sr3 all subject. When they see the light shiring brightly and leading other nations on the onward march will Ihey be always be satisfied to submit to the darkness of a demoralising fatalism? Russia has a great part to play in the world's movements and her people must aspire for that politicil freedom wh : ch Ins been gained by other leading races. The irou hand with drastic severity is upon them now, but the mind will eventually prevail over brute force. -It is only a question of time, which will be aided by the teachings of many Tolstois to whom the soil of Russia will give birth. Young Russia, the ra'ii-n's vigorous young intellect in the persons of ma'e and female students, form the most active propaganda of the revolutionary and patriotic movements. To these have been given the adhesion of the industrial classes and the bourgeois or middle class. St Petersburg!), Moscow, Kieff, and other great centres are the seats of the agitations which have recently witnessed such wholesale arrests. The nobility are largely in sympathj with (he reactionist, though necessarily more secretly. Even the amiable Czar is supposed to be favourable to many reforms. Unfortuna'ely there is that mysterious undcfinable power behind all Russia's autocracy which is greater than that of the Throne i'self. Before a new ' Constitution can be won for Russia, couferiiog upon her people some approach to popular representation, that, over -ruling power of the military and official gangs must be overcome and swept away, and not only tbe people but the Emperor himself liberated fiom their intolerable regime. But much blood wi'l be shed and many years elapse before this victory can be achieved.

To moil ow will 'be observed as a holiday by the Post Uffice and Telegraph Department. An oflbial notice is given elsewhere.

It will be observed that the Mayor has proclaimed to moirow (Victoria Day) a geueral holiday. The West Coast TWS will pot be pub isbed. to-av inw.

A syndicate tas been formed in Auckland to take up Southern dredging areas.

General Sir Redvers Buller likes to see white Hlie3 and red roses growing .together.

The Secretary of the First Weatland Rifles requests the immediate return of Certain articles taken from the Drill Shed last night.

Andrew Carnegie, the American millionare, who has given six millions to charity, commenced life as a ( 'bobbin boy" ma cctton factory at five shillings a week. The revenue of West Australia for the month of April shows a <total of £944,164, as compared wJth £253,652 for the corresponding period of last year.

.At present there are. a large number oE clerks in Dunedin without employment. This no doubt to be la-gely accounted for by the fact that Ihe princi pal brokers have all reduced their staffs.

The Premier stated at Otaki that a Local Government Bill would Jbe introduced the coming sessioD and a conference of local bodies held in Wellington the first week of the session to consider the measure.

The Duches3 of Cornwall has had a vi ry thorough musical education, her voice having been trained by Signor Foli. She plays the pianoforte and harp like a professo-, and speaks German and Brench fluently. •

The poll to decide vrhather the Borough shall adopt the ''Rating on Unimproved Value Act 1896" will be taken on Monday at the Town Hall from 9 a m. to 7 p.m. There are between six and seven hundred names on -tLe roll.

We remined cur readers that the Palace Skating Rink optns tonight. A considerable number (.f subset ibers have joined and thsie is no doubt that it

will prove an attractive form of evening amusement during the winter months. . The Presentation to Mrs Ssddoti general committee will meet at the Town

Hafrat 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon

when the collectors will furnish their re »ports. From all accounts the moremenl has met with excellent suppcit through ; out the district.

According to the Lyttleton Times, at the Magistrate's Court on Wednesday one of thf justices on 1113 bench went into a deep and refreshing slumber which lasted throughout the entire hearing of one of the cases against a book maker.

On Saturday last a bottle was found on Foxton beach, which when opened was found to contain a card with the following writing :— 7th Contingent, all well. Farewell Spit, 7th April, 1901. Troopers Cooper and Curtiu and Trumpeter Toney wish to be reme nobbed to 1 imaru people. On the reverse , side was written : " Good-bye New Zealand, till we return with honours for our colony."

The usual weekly meeting of the Wesleyan Menticultural Sor i-ty was held lasi; night. There was a fair attendance of meraler3. Mr G. H. Moss was in the chair. The evning was occupied in considering the question "Which wields the greater influence, Capital cr Character. 1 ' The leading speakers were Messrs W. Shannon and O. Kirk for Capital and Rev J. Richards and Mr S; Westbrook for Character. The subject was very ably discussed and the \ote taken at the conclusion showed a large majority in favour of Capital. Next week's meeting will be devoted to a lecture given by the Rev J. R. Clark, of Kumara.

The West Coast Times Coy have just received a consigrnient of the latest in Ball- Programmes, Wedding, Visitiug (Gents and Ladies), Memorial, Menu and other Cards.

We draw spechl attention to the great clearance of Blankets and Rugs at tbe New Zealand ClolhiDg Factory ; White Blankets, large size, at 10s 6d ; extra large, 14s 6d ; Bush Rugs from 3s lid ; also a great reductiou in Clothing, Men's Colonial Sac Sui s at 22s 6d, Trousers at 5s b'd and 7a Gd. You can also save 25 per cent 'by buying your boots at the New Z: aland Clothing Factory and we guarantee the finest assortment in town to select from. Don't fail to inspect our window ihow. — Advt.~