21 MAY 1881, Page 2

Alexander III, has decided to adhere to the old ways.

Pressed by entreaties from Berlin, by some councillors, and by his own tendency to prefer" Russian "institutions—he has just restored the beard to the Russian Arm y, prohibited by Peter the Great—he. suddenly issued (11th inst.) a proclamation declaring that he would maintain the autocracy intact, and crush out the veiled rebellion. Count Melikoff, thunderstruck by an act done over his. head, resigned, and was succeeded by the well-known Count. Ignatieff. He was speedily followed by M. Abaza, Minister of Finance ; General Miliutine, Minister of War ; and M. de. Giers, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The entire personnel of the Administration is, in fact, changed ; and it is understood that while the laws for the relief of the peasants will be carried. out, no constitutional changes will be made, The Revolution- ary Committee, in an address to the people, have accepted the proclamation as " a declaration of war," and the situation is• more highly strained than ever. In St. Petersburg, however, there is as yet no sign of popular commotion.