CZAR CHANGES POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 29, 3 February 1905, Page 5

CZAR CHANGES POLICY.

UKASE TO BE ISSUED. INCLUDES PEEEiJOM OF PBESS. TEEPOFF TO BE BEUBVED. PACIFIC MEASURES ADOPTED. (Received 7.24 a-m.) LONDON, February 2. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Daily Telegraph represents that the Czar has completely changed in his policy with regard to the demands for reform. After impatiently listening to strong advice given by M. Yermoloff, the Minister for Agriculture, to the effect that a radical change of policy 'was essential for the pacification of the country, the Emperor suddenly authorised him to prepare a Ukase, directing M. de Witte, the Minister for Finance, who is generally regarded as the most enlightened and -progressive of the members of the Ministry, to extend and develop the principles of reform embodied in hi* UltAse of December 25. The document was further to instruct him to restore order by peaceful means, and to invite the co-operation of the pebple in deciding; upon a modns opcrandi. The methods to be taken to aeliieve this result -were to I>e left largely to M. de Witte's discretion. They iaay be expected to include, says the correspondent, the early convocation of an assembly of rep- ' reeentative local bodies and the I freedom of tho press. It is also expected that General Trepoff, whose methods are irreconcilable with the pacific policy, xffiU shortly be ordered to proceed to Manchuria. , A further concession that is regarded as likely is the early release of all those prisoners arrested in connection with the recent disorder. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Standard points to the likelihood of a similar change of front on the part of the Government to that indicated by the I Daily Telegraph. He reporta that M. Yermoloff strongly advised the Czar to severely punish all those who were responsible for the disaster of the events of Sunday, January 22. In conversation with the Czar he inculcated the wisdom cf consulting the people with regard to national affairs. Subsequently to this interview he made a statement to the effect that M. de Witte had expressed his hearty approval of the advice given to the Czar. The Committee of Ministers afterwards conferred upon the proI posed chan K * of policy.