The Zemstvo Congress concluded its work this evening. Its results to some extent justify the assumption that the attitude of bitterness and suspicion towards the government has abated. This result is entirely due to the decision of the higher spheres to pass from words to deeds, which would be manifested particularly in the relaxation of censorship and the release of Professor Miliukov. But as regards the programme and plan of the electoral campaign, not the slightest inclination towards compromise was shown, except on the question of participation in the elections. Some said it would be dishonest to go into the Duma without the intention of working in it, but the majority considers ethical considerations superfluous in relation to a government which has never shown the slightest scruple in violating its promises. They declare quite frankly that they have no intention of working in the Duma, but are going there solely to obtain effective weapons for the struggle to wrest full freedom. The meeting of the Constitutional Party this morning unanimously passed a resolution to this effect, and a significant majority of the Congress endorsed it.

"The electoral programme, on the elaboration of which the Congress spent so much time, thereby loses its vital interest and assumes an academic character, being useful only as a means of instructing the uninitiated voters and indicating in general terms what the reformers hope ultimately to achieve if they win the battle for universal suffrage and real legislative power.

"At an informal meeting of the leaders of the Peasant Union today it was stated that they too are going into the Duma with the exclusive aim of proclaiming the demand for electoral reform and chiefly for formulating an agrarian programme, the pivot of which is the nationalisation of the land.

"From these facts it is difficult to evolve a detailed classification of parties. They remain grouped into a small number of reactionaries and a huge host of reformists. The latter are subdivided broadly into Zemstvo men and peasants, who will cooperate until the agrarian programme is brought to the front. The Governor-General has forbidden the proposed Congress of the Peasant Union."