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Show TRYING TO STEM TIDE IN RUSSIA 8T. PETERSBURG. Jan. 7. It is significant signifi-cant that Prince Hllkoff. minister of railroads, comes to ths defense of the Government's programme In a long Interview Inter-view upon the Internal situation In which he deprecates the agitation which Is stirring stir-ring ths country and appeals to his countrymen coun-trymen to calmly and soberly consider the general interests of the country as cltlsens and not as enemiea He insists that the Emperor Is striving earnestly to accomplish the reforms which the country needs, but ths questions ques-tions Involved are too vital to permit of a solution in the haste of passion. Respite Re-spite the different conceptions of what is required. Prince Hllkoff expresses the firm conviction that ths reforms promised in the imperial manifesto open a wide borison by extending the Independence of Zematvos and municipal and social Institutions Insti-tutions thus meeting the present requirements. require-ments. . ,, I know that many people believe we need a constitution.'1 the minister continued, con-tinued, "but to my mind this Is premature. prema-ture. The condltlona are not ripe.. Certainly Cer-tainly it would be a mistake to borrow a constitution from abroad at present. A long residence In constitutions! countries has convinced me that they do not ever correspond to the requirements of the ccuntry snd especislly that a constitution constitu-tion would not meet the conditions in Russia where the people are In various stages of development and the vast .majority .ma-jority without even elementary educa- tl"Tbe nation also suffers from distinctions distinc-tions of caste, which is one of the greatest great-est obstacles to the introduction of a constitution, con-stitution, while many natlonalUles. Poles Finns. Jews. Circasslsns snd Armenians, have created for them special law. hat we need first of all Is the equality of all cltlsens. such ss the Emperor proposes. When this Is assured the other requirements require-ments snd the eventusl form of Government Govern-ment will become clear." |