MANIFESTATION OF LITHUANIA'S NOBILITY'S LOYALTY ON THE OCCASION OF UNVEILING OF THE MEMORIAL TO CATHERINE II ON 10TH SEPTEMBER 1904 IN VILNIUS

In the period of the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, due to the concessions by the tsar policy, a class of landowners of noble origin is becoming more active in the North Western region. The landowners of the Vilnius, Kaunas and Gardinas, mobilizing themselves in the agricultural associations, start seeking for the opportunities to restrict or revoke the decrees which were valid since the second half of the 19th century and were discriminating the elite class.

The policy of the new Governor General P. Sviatopolk - Mirski on the region and landowners was marked by understanding, tolerance and “liberal approach”. Doubtless, the Governor General had to implement the state policy and secure his own interests – Polish historiography tried its best to highlight this. However, there is no denying that the Governor General was implementing the policy of concessions, which suited the interests of the elite class.