The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-15
IMPERIAL DECREE ISSUED.
Russia Takes More Rights Away From
ZemstroS.

Moscow. Nov. 14-An Imperial decree
has recently been issued in Russia seri-
ously modifying the pe.itionary rights OF
the Zemstvos. or provincial ass amblies- II
is now distinctly stated that the Zem-
stvos shall have the right to petition the
central government only in regard to
matters connected with the institutions
under their direct control. Accordi' 10
the previous wording OF the law. the as
semblies were permitted TO pres ent petit
tons in regard to local needs ard mat
tiers of local advantage As improve
ments OF a general character were fire.
quently suggested by some pressing local
need, the petitions often did useful service
in roueing the central authorities 10 The
necessity for certain important reforms.
The peasants banks. for instance, ow
their origin to these petitions, prompted
by the direct observation of the needs OF
peasants in particular districts. Thus inc
new decree vii. increase the administTa-
tive difficulties of the government by cut
ting off d useful source OF information.
in a country where the rights OF public
assembly and the freedom OF the press
are confined within such narrow boun1s,
portant part in informing the govern
ment of the actual needs Of the popula-
ton NJ NVitte pointed out some yelrs
ago that a popular institution such as the
assembly was incompatible with the au-
tocracy NJ de Flehve apparently sym
pathizes with NJ. Whites contention and
the government seems TO have embarked
on a policy which VIII make the right OF
meeting an empty privilege.
Although NJ Witte is no longer finance
minister in Russia. his example as = pro
moter of vast railroad schemes Is finding
many imitators Various projects are
mooted in the press which may assume
practical shape some day. although there
is no money to Fut them into execution
lust now. One-of these paper schen1e j.
10 build a western Chinese railway 10
strengthen and secure the rear Of the po-
sition which Russia has gained by her
Chinese eastern (Sanchurian) railway.
This proposed line would begin az the
termination Of the existing Central Asian
railway at Andijan. IN Russian Ferghaua,
and run through Osh, Kashgra, Turfan.
and Suchau 10 Lan-chau. On tie Hwang
10 river. "A distance altogether OF iSH
miles Direct railway connection Won d
thus be egtabl. shed between the heart OF
Russia at Moscow anlthe heart Of Chine
in the basin Of the Hwang-Ho. which
river waters seven q the richest prov
inces Of the Celestial Empire The authors
az this scheme maintain that there would
be no difficulties Of construction. EXCEPT
perhaps in crossing the Than shan range
between Andijan and hashgar and a.
the desert between Karashar and Lob
Nor. They say that by It Russian mer-
chants would be able 60 compete with tire
English and Germans hy pTovidirs quick
er supply Of cheaper goods. and that E.ne-
land would be feresiaIled IA bag desire
20 include the YeTo. river Niihu her
sphere of inference by q rauway line from
the center q India 20 Wei-hai-veL The
only dincuity sn tho way is q little mat
ter II 80 1so O. rr1bies or 50. Another
plan. which has IS warm advocate. pro-
poses the connection Il the lines q t1c
Caucasus vfth .ae Russian southern faI-
vays b. bridging over the strait ~
Eertch The opponents o. this scheme
saYs thai 4: would furnish the sbortes-
transit road from western EureDa lrf9
Persia ana naralyze the Shcle Hoscow
rr.arufacturiag region for the heaehf q
I-odz. Evsrszw and berlin j. u I'D coz
nect Warsa~ sf,h Persia D. tae Hzos;
direct and shortest route