Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1905 — NEW ERA FOR RUSSIA. [ARTICLE]

NEW ERA FOR RUSSIA.

IT 13 CLAIMED THAT CZAR HAS SIGNED MAGNA CHARTA. Mr. Yermoloff, Minister of Agricnlture, Persuades Holer to Take Important Step—Representative Chamber Under 1 M. Witte Predicted. In a few days we shall witness a political transformation scene as thorough and as amazing as anything that modern pantomime or apeient fairy tale can offer. Captives who languish in the stone cells of the fortress will be released to-morrow, their misdemeanors forgotten. The press will be allowed to speak freely, and later Trepoff will be sent to Manchuria. In ten days a brand-new representative chamber will be created under the magic wand of the ex-finaiicp minister, M. Witte, and a new era of prosperity will begin for the Russian people. Such is the latest political program, writes Dr. E. J. Dillon, special representative of the London Telegraph and one of the most reliable correspondents in the Russian capital. Monday an extra sitting of the committee of ministers was held, at which M. Witte, who has been unjustly judged throughout the present crisis, threw his wpight on the popular side.

Yermoloif Begs Czar for Reforms. The same day Yermoloff, the minister of agriculture, had an interview with the Czar at the Winter Palace to present his periodical report. He availed himself of the occasion to warn his majesty that the present system of government had outlived its usefulness, adding; “Without the assistance of the Russian people it is henceforth impossible to carry on the business of the empire. Troops may preserve order by violence, but cannot rule the country. The nation is anxious for a closer union with its Czar in the interests alike of the dynasty and the people.” The Emperor sharply interrupted the speaker, reprimanding him for his impertinence and commanding him to present his report. But Yonnoloff answered that, having discharged his duty, he was at his majesty’s service. For the first time the Emperor lost his self-ecmtrol, and only after some time did he wholly recover his normal calm.

Declares Czar Signs Constitution. After a considerable pause, during which Yermoloff remained in an adjoining apartment, the Emperor recalled him and heard him develop bis scheme for the pacification of the country and finally commanded him to take paper, pep and ink and retire to the next room and embody his ideas in a ukase addressed to Witte by the minister of agriculture. After a lapse of ninety minutes Yermoloff came back with a constitution in his hand. He read it aloud with unsteady voice. The Czar paced the apartment, but asked no questions When Yermoloff had finished, liis majesty took a pen in his hand and signed the Russian magna elmrta.

A friend of Dr. Dillon's who read the document from beginning to end enumerates among the essential clauses the following points, 1. M. Witte, in the capacity of the president of the committed of ministers, is charged iiy the Czar to further extend and develop the principles of reform laid down in the imperial ukase of Christinas day. 2. Ills majesty commands that pensions be paid to the orphaned children and cripples whose misfortunes were caused by the action of the troops on the historic Sunday of Jan. 22. 3. Order is to be restored throughout the country by peaceful methods and the Russian people are to be invited to co-operate with the gr>vehement. Those methods are to be left largely to the discretion of M. Witte, and may include the convocation of a zemsky assembly.