This astounding proclamation, which they read only in the official
journal, brought all the Ministers, reactionaries as well as Liberals, to Tsarskoe Selo, resolved to resign if its effects could not be mitigated. They were received by the Czar, and after a scene, described elsewhere, which lasted three hours, and included, it is said, severe reproaches to the Ministers, his Majesty consented, with breaks of hesitation and unwillingness, to sign a letter to the Minister of the Interior declaring his resolution, in accordance with old precedents, " to convene the worthiest men possesehig the con- fidence of the people, and elected by them," to " participate in the elaboration and consideration of legislative measures." At the same time, says the letter, or Rescript, as it is technically called, though "I am convinced that the local
needs, experiences of life, and well-weighed and sincere speech of those elected" will make their legislation fruitful,
I foresee all the complexity and difficulty presented in the elaboration of reforms while preserving absolutely the immutability of the fundamental laws of the Empire." The Ministers carried this document to the printing-office, and though they expected every moment to find it recalled by telephone, it was printed and issued as written. It appears to have surprised the revolutionaries into abandoning their project of a general rising on Sunday ; but on reconsidera- tion they denounce it as insufficient or meaningless. Until, therefore, the Notables actually meet, the internal situation remains as before, with the additional danger for the dynasty that if peace is made the Army may be shocked out of its present loyalty.
Previous page
