29 DECEMBER 1894, Page 2

General Gourko was on Wednesday created General Field. Marshal, and

surrendered the Viceroyalty of Poland to Count Sehonvaloff, recently Russian Ambassador in Berlin. It is believed that this appointment, while it does not imply any relaxation in the severity of Russian rule, does indicate that the new Czar does not wish that severity to be based upon' the difference in religion. The Poles have had a dreadful time of it for seven years, and the change of Governors gives. thema little hope of breathing. They were, it is asserted, almost prepared to risk an armed revolt, which, with the im- mense army now concentrated in Poland, would have been an act of positive insanity. They are a restless and difficult people to govern ; but considering that at present they ask nothing except freedom to worship God in their own wan.' and fairness as regards the conscription, it is difficult to understand why the authorities at St. Petersburg cannot let them alone. They may have been formidable while the "Great Russians" were forty millions, and all men practically fought with their hands ; but now that the " Great Russians are at least seventy millions, and battles must be fought with repeaters, the day of Kosciuskos has ended for ever. The true policy now for the Poles would be to try to rule Russia, and for Russians to pardon everything in Poland except assassination or descent into the field. We mention assassi- nation, but as far as we know no considerable number of Poles have been found among the Nihilists, who consist of a few Russian students, a few cosmopolitan Anarchists, and a few Jews maddened by oppression.