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Show REFORM IS PROMISED Russia Hints That It May Grant the People Some Liberty. ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 15.-Thre Is no longer any doubt that the Government Intend to commit Itself to very extensive exten-sive reforms as the result of the liberal Agitation begun when Prince Sviatopolk-Mirsky Sviatopolk-Mirsky made his advent as Minister of the Interior. The Zemstvolst demands for a direct body to make the laws of the nation will not be granted, but some medium in the lorm of a representative consultative body, which can convey the wishes of the people direct to the sovereign, now seems the probable outcome. An entirely new law for the liberalization of the press also is apparently certain. The plan for a consultative body, first proposed by the late i'rince Vasllchoikoff twenty years ago in connection with the demand for a land parliament, form the basis of the scheme at present under consideration. con-sideration. Prince VaHilcholkoft contended contend-ed that nine-tenths of the population of Russia was totally unprepared to exercise political rights, thus precluding the possibility pos-sibility of general franchise. He proposed pro-posed a xemsknya ilouma, or land council, coun-cil, composed of Zemstvo representatives, endowed with a consultative voice In the Government. While nothing has been absolutely decided. de-cided. Minister of the Interior Svlatopolk-Mirsky Svlatopolk-Mirsky is said to favor this plan. In fo;t. it la his desire that Prince Vasil-choikofTs Vasil-choikofTs son shall succeed him In the event that complete failure of his health compels htm to retire. |