This first conference of the heads of the _Zemstvos_, which met at Moscow, Nov., 1904, by permission of Prince Mirski, contained the germ of a representative government.

It was an acknowledgment of a principle hitherto denied; a recognition never before made of the right of the people to come together for the purpose of discussing measures of governmental policy.
In the meantime the Japanese, irresistible as fate, were breaking down one after another of the supposed impregnable defences about Port Arthur; climbing over hills of their own dead, fathers, sons, and brothers, in order to do it.

Within the beleaguered fort the supply of ammunition was running low, only one-quarter of the defenders were left, and disease was slaying and incapacitating these.

Nearer and nearer came the rain of fire.

In vain they listened for the booming of Kuropatkin's guns sweeping down from the north.