The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-27
PROMISES ARE
MADE RUSSIANS
BY AN IMPERIAL UKASE
SEVERAL DECIDEDLY LIBERAL
CONCESSIONS ARE EXTENDED.

Full and EquftnbIe Enforcement of
Existing Laws Promised, and the
ZemstvOs Are Assured of the Full
est Possible Measure of SeIf-Gov-
ernment-Agitation for Liberal
Reforms Has Shown no Cessation.
Trouble at Moscow.
st. Petersburg. Dec. 26.-Emperor
Nicholas long expected reform ukase
was issued tonight The documents
deals, under eight heads, with practi-
cally all the subjects brought to the
Emperor's attention by the memorial
of the congress of Zemstvo presidents
held here last month, and while not
specifically pledging the government to
carry out the various reforms in their
entirety, as demanded by the memorial
promises that each shall be referred
to the council of ministers, with orders
to report promptly on the fullest meas
ures of relief which can be accorded
on the various subjects.
One question not touched by the
ukase is that of the constitutional as
sembly. Neither is the Jewish religion
specifically mentioned though freedom
for all creeds or sects, whether Chris
tian or otherwise, is among the SUBJ
jects which will be dealt with.
The various subjects will be re-
ferred to committees for early report
Subjects for the Committees.
In brief, the subjects which will be
referred to committees of the council
of ministers for early report are:
First.-A just and equable enforce
ment of existing laws, with view to
securing the harmonious adminlstra-
ton of all the courts.
Second.-Zemstvo organizations,
with a view to giving the widest lati-
tude and autonomy to the various dis
tricts zemstvos, calling additional
Zemstvo representatives where requir-
ed, and creating smaller zemstvo units
capable of dealing directly with the
local needs of the peasants.
Enthusiastically of all citizens before
the law, this touching the much moot
ed question of peasant equality before
the courts.
Wi SthNAlC VI
worlmen's assurance, for the benefit
and protection of factory workers
throughout the empire.
F1fth.-To secure citizens against ar
bitrary arrest and to accord immunity
from harsh action of the police except
IN the cases of persons known to be
conspiring to commit overt acts against
the stability of the state.
siNth.-The religious freedom of all
subjects of the empire without re-
spect of creed or manner of worship.
To Rescind Unnecessary Laws.
Seventh. For resembling all unneces-
sary repressive laws, leaving I'm force
only those designed for the protection
or peasants and for the benefit gem
orally Of subjects OF the empire.
Eighth.-To accord the fullest pos
hible measure OF liberty to the press
ana the removal as far as possible OF
the various restrictive laws.
The ukase was issued 30 late that
its contents were not generally known
even IA the newspaper Offices till long
AFTER midnight. Among those able 10
express an opinion, II wBe consider
90 10 be "a document whose ultimate
value depended largely upon tho In
depreciation given BY the various COM
mitices as % the measure Of liberty
which u is possible 10 grant under the
various heads named.
Naturally q has not met the fullest
Wishes " fho Liberals, but on the
other hand. ~ "a REGARDED BY the re-
hfiiQhaficf az pr0mieiuG enfirely 900
much iu th0 direction ~ liberal fe~
forms. IA IA complained. nlto. fhnf
mere "A some ambiguity ~ expression
ln fhe various sections ~ fhf loflr
meat whoa must be lefi - iniefprs-