Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-28
Promised the Long-Suf-
fering Russian People
Ire Outlined in a Proclamation
from Emperor Nicholas.
Many Good Features, With Other
Points to Be Reached.

81. Petersburg. Dee. 27.-Emp"ror
Nicholas long expected reform "h''E"
VAS issued. tonight. Tn" document
1eaIs under eight heads. with practl-
lv an the subjects brought to t-n-
.-,ura att, ution 10y tn" memorial or th'
t,-r"cs of Z.mStvo presidents h"ld
..rr last month. ana While mot spe"ll-
NV Hedging the government to carry
ut tEr various reforms in their entire
Y as demanded by tn" memorial.
promises that each shall he referred t"
tn" council Of ministers with orders l"
rrp mort prum;,ly on the fullest measures
Of relief which can be- accorded on the
,ariuIIs subjects.
an. uIl,stion not touched by the
Il-as,. Is that of th,. constitutional as
.nmblv. Neither is the jewish questions
ire specifically mentioned though free
tom for all creedS or S"rtS whether
'hristiln or otherWis". is among the.
subjects which will h" dealt with.
In brief the subjects which will he
referred I, committees Of the council
of council of minister's for an early re-
port are:
First-A lust and equitable enforce
nltllI I'll PN'S'lHS laws N'''i - WV
securing the harmonious administration
% all the courts
Sccord-Zcmstvo organization. with 4
view t, giving the widest latitude ana
autonomy to the various district GEMS
iyos calling additional Zemstvo repre-
sentativeS where required and creating
small zemstvo units capable of dealing
directly with the local nc eds of the pea
SAINTS
Equality OF all citizens before
the law, thus touching the much moot
ed question of peasant equality before
tho courts.
I'ourth-ArranginS n scheme of work
mems assurance. for the benefit and
protection Of factory workers through
out the empire.
Fifth--To secure citizens against ar
bitrary arrest and to accord immuni-
ty from harsh action of the police ex
rcpt in the case of persons known to be
conspiring to commit overt acts against
the stability Of the state.
Sixth-'rhe religious freedom Of all
subjects Of the empire without respect
Of creed or maner Of worship.
Seventh-For resembling all unneces-
only those designed for the protection
of peasants and for the benefit gener-
ally of subjects of the empire.
Eighth-To accord the fullest possible
measure of liberty to the press and the
removal as far as possible of the vari-
Gus restrictive laws.
The ukase was issued so late that its
contents were not generally known
even in the newspaper offices, till hong
after midnight. Among those able to
express an opinion, 1t was considered
to be a document whose ultimate value
depended largely upon the interpreta-
ion given by the various committees
Is to the measure Of liberty which It is
possible to grant under the various
reads named.
Naturally 1t has not met with tn,
fullest wishes Of the liberals, but oil
he other hand it is regarded by the re
dictionaries as promising entirely to-
much in the direction OF liberal reform
1t is complained, also that there
some ambiguity Of expression in tn
various sections Of the document. whic
must be left to Interpretation by thos
10 whom the various reforms are en-
trusted.
--------
IA Communication issued by the GOV
efpment, early this morning. says
paats s-sl-l--s-tta .sJl-.il j 81