Moreover, *Rech'* finds that the general is asking too much for his patronage of the Cadet ministry, and declares that the Cadets will not renounce either the principle of compulsory expropriation of land for the benefit of the peasants or full amnesty for any portfolios. It seems to us that the general, as a practical statesman, has no reason to ruin the deal on account of principles. After all, according to the Cadet plan, compulsory expropriation applies far from all land, but only as much of it as needs to be allotted to the peasants so that they can bear the state's tax burden; furthermore, the owners of the expropriated land will receive for it hard currency "at a fair valuation," and with money in these current times it is far easier to manage than with land, which has already ceased to bring in revenue owing to the peasants' stubborn refusal to work it for others. And as regards amnesty, the Cadets have already fulfilled their duty to the country by bringing to the attention of the supreme power the unanimous wish of the people to see prisoners and exiles set free, and, so as not to encroach upon the inalienable prerogative of the Crown in this matter, decided to block the amnesty bill which the Labour Group intends to introduce into the State Duma. What more does General Trepov need? Give up the haggling, general, and "without melancholy, without fateful thought, without vain and empty doubts" hand over the reins to the new coachman: after all, "extreme measures" will remain at your disposal as before in case of failure…

Written 27 June (10 July) 1906

Published 28 June 1906

Printed from the newspaper text in the newspaper *Echo* No. 6