36 THE ZEMSTVOS DURING THE WAR 
the trenches, equipping it with the munitions of war, manufacturing 
shells, constructing fortified positions, and so on. . . . Unfortunately, 
however, we observe no collaboration between the Government and the 
people, and it is our duty to tell this to the Government very plainly. 
The conference resolved, concurrently with the conference of the 
Union of Towns, to send a special deputation to the Emperor, to 
inform him of 
the imminent danger of a fatal rupture of that inmer unity which 
should exist between the people and the Government. . . . This menace 
can be averted only by a reform of the Government, which will be 
strong only if it enjoys the confidence of the country and is supported 
by the legitimate representatives of the people. 
The deputation was not received by the Emperor, and the next 
conference, convoked in December, 1915, was not even permitted 
to assemble. It was only on March 12-15, 1916, that the zemstvo 
leaders were at last able to meet. This conference was attended by 
165 representatives. They noted once more that 
Russia is experiencing great and continuous anxiety regarding the 
cause of victory, as the result of the shortcomings of our political life 
. . . for the signs of internal decay in the government administration 
are constantly multiplying, and, up to now, the differences between the 
Government and the public have only increased. 
The last warning that the conference of the Zemstvo Union was 
able to address to the Government was on December 9, 1916. Im- 
mediately after adopting its resolution, the congress was dispersed 
by the Government and prevented even from attending to its regu- 
lar and urgent business, while the Bulletin of the Union was pro- 
hibited from printing the resolution. 
Local Feelings. 
A majority of the provincial zemstvo assemblies had supported 
he action of the Union in urging the convocation of the Duma and 
the need of a new government enjoying the confidence of the people, 
as early as the close of 1915. Thus, the provincial assembly of Tver 
declared that it was necessary to have “codrdination in the actions of 
the Government and the public,” that “victory over the enemy will 
be possible only with a Government enjoying the confidence of the