Letters from St. Petersburg are all alike in their account
of the situation there. The student question has divided Ministers, society, and even the Army, and the Government appears unable to resolve upon a policy. The Czar, who is apparently shocked by the violence of the repres- sive measures adopted, has appointed General Vannovsky Minister of Education because he is old and lenient, but he is himself so perturbed by the hubbub that whispers of his abdication are rife. He never was physically strong, and his • illness has left traces on his constitution. He must wait, however, for his wife's acconchement, and if the child is a son will certainly remain on the throne as long as God allows. The Russians iii exile all affirm that the populace of the cities, who were devotees of the Czar, now support the students:and many add that the peasantry also who are suffering are on the same side. The former statement accords with all the evidence, but the latter requires ranch confirmation. It is admitted on all hands that the Army is with the Government, but is annoyed by the too great readiness of the police to call for its intervention.
