The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-20
ZEMSTVOS
 IN SESSION Russian Patriots Meet in
 Capital. CONVENTION NOT OFFICIAL Government Withdrew Aus pices at Last Moment. Some of Most Prominent Persons of Empire Discuss Pians for the Bringing Into Being of
 Parliament.
CONVENTION NOT OFFICIAL

St. Petersburg, NOV. Aho ni0'S Ing of representatives of the ZemtVos which had been looked forward to with so much hope. was held this af- ternoon at a private residence In this city, but at the last moment the gov ernment withdrew the official auspices under which it was to be held. because the representatives declined to adhere to the original purpose of the conrer- ence.
 A hundred earnest men. included among them were some of the most prominent figures in Russia. therefore met and discussed a carefully pre- pared memorandum, practically em- bodyinr a recommendation for na- tional representative body to have share in the government. This mem orandum will be presented to Emperor Nicholas.
 Prince Sviatopolk Mirsky, the min" . ister of the interior, guaranteed the meeting protection from police inter ference, but secrecy was maintained as to the place of meeting and this erec- tually prevented demonstrations which had been announced would be made by students.
 The memorandum includes ten sec- tions, of which seven were endorsed at today's meeting. The remainder, IL is expected, will be approved at a meeting to be held tomorrow. The document. which is bound to hold conspicuous place in Russian history is as follows:
 The ZemstvO Document.
 Preamble of proposals on the ques- tion of general conditions preventing the normal course and development or our social life, submitted to private conference of Zennstvo workers Mo- Vemher 19 and 20 instant. in St. Pet" ersburg:
 Section 1. The abnormal system of government prevailing among us and especially noticeable since the eight ies, is due to complete estrangement of government and people. and the ao- sence to the mutual confidence so ne- cessary to national life.
 Section ?. These relations between the government and the people erigf- nate from apprehension of develop ment Of popular initiative and persis- tent efforts to exclude the people from participation in internal government. With this object the government en- deavored to extend centralized admin istration to all branches of local gov ernment and impose a tutelage In every branch of national life. admit ting cooperation with the people sole- ly for the purpose of bringing popu- lar institutions into harmony with the views of the government.
 AFbitrariness and Caprice.
 Section 8. The beaureaucratic sys- tenn of causing estrangement Of the supreme power and the people creates a field for wide scope of administra- tive arbitrariness and personal ca price. Such a condition deprives the nation of the necessary assurances that the rights of each and all will be pro- tected and undermines confidence in the government.
 oI ant nd evolution of state and nation Is pos- sibly only under the condition of else living and union, and the cooperation of the imperial power with the peo- pie.
 Section B. In order to excuse the possibility of the display of adminis- trative arbitrariness and to gurantee personal rights. it is necessary to es- tablish and consistently apply princi- ple by which no one will be subject to punishment. or to the restriction of rights without the decision of indepen- dent legal authorities
 Section G. For the unrestricted ex- pression of public opinion, and the free exposition and satisfaction of nopular needs. 1t is essential toguaran- ice freedom of conscience and speech and of thepress and also freedom of meeting and association.
 Section | Self reliance is the chief
  full development of the political and economic life of the country. A con siderable majority of the population of Russia belonging to the peasant class, 1t Is necessary first of all, to place the latter in a-positfon favorable for de velopnent of self reliance and energy, and this is attainable only by a radl- cal alteration of the present unequi- table and humiliatinE condition of the peasants.
 Necessary Steps.
 For this purpose it is necessary (a) to equalize the civil and political rights of peasants with the other classes: (b) release rural self government from administrative tutelage; Co safeguard neasants by proper courts of justice.
 Section &. Zemstvo institutions in which local and popular life Is mostly concentrated must be placed in condi- tion in which they may successfully carry out their duties. For this pur- nose it Is necessary that the Zemstvo renresentation be based on a no-clasR basis. and all the forces of the local population be admitted to share in Zemstvo work; that Zemstvo institu- t{ons be hruoght into closer touch with the people by the creation of small Zemstvo and unite a basis guarantee Jnp absolute independence. and that Zemstvo institutions be assured the necessary permanency and indepen- dence essential to their proper deve- lopr1ent and activity and mutal CO., operation of governmental with popu- lar institutions.
 Section g. But for the creation and naintaince of close and healthy com runion. and unison of the imperial authority with the people upon the basis above pointed out, and in order to assure the correct development of life. state and nation. 1t is unduestonably uooassarv for national repreSeufa ton In the form of specially elective body to participate in legislation.
 Section 10. This conference consid- ering itself an informal gathering of which the members express personal views. considers that settlement of the question on the basis which form the relationship of government and popu- lar representation in the life of the country should be submitted to re- nraantatives of the nation chosan under