As a result of this action by the Czar, there
have been many rumours that he now seriously intends to enter on the path of reform and to create liberal institutions. The special correspondent of the Daily Telegraph even went so far as to state in Thursday's issue that the Minister of Agriculture had, after a stormy and plain-spoken interview with his master, drawn up in ninety minutes a complete liberal Con- stitution for Russia—Mr. Balfour's recent achievement in the matter, giving his Fiscal policy on half a sheet of note- paper, pales before this exploit—that the Czar had instantly signed this document, and ordered M. Witte to carry it out, and that in a week or so we shall see politically a new heaven and a new earth in Russia. Unfortunately, Friday's telegrams throw very grave doubt upon this Russian Magna Charts. It is probable that the Telegraph's correspondent was entirely misinformed, or else unwittingly exaggerated into a Constitu- tional revolution some minor administrative reforms which are being prepared under M. Wi tte.
