It seems to be admitted by most Russians that M.
de Witte, the able Minister of Finance, has been kicked upstairs. He will not, they think, as President of the Council of Ministers, be able to do much, the autocracy being permanently jealous of government by Cabinet. The objection raised against him is that he has done too much for manufactures, stimulating them artificially with funds raised by rigid taxation of the peasantry, who themselves need pecuniary aid and encourage- ment. He has, moreover, embarrassed the Treasury by forcing on railways too fast. All Junkerdom in Russia—and Junker- dom exists there as well as in Germany—is raging at him, and is supported by all the great Conservatives, including many Grand Dukes, who have direct access to the Sovereign. The point now is whether the Treasury can do without his ability.
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