New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-27
{ NATIONS PLEA NOT NET.
ME CARS MANIFESTO.
eeEf-RuIe Not GrGnted-To Unify
and Enforce the La5cs.

,.,fh almost all the subjects brought to the En-
,sror's attention by the memorial of the con-
gress of zemstvo presidents held here last
.,enth. and, while not specifically pledging the
yoysrnment TO carry out the various reforms
{, their entirety, as demanded by the memorial,
.-ouises that each shall be referred to the
1o1ncu Of Ministers. with orders to report
srenptly on the fullest measures Of relief which
.sn be accorded on the various subjects.
one question not touched by the ukase is
nat of the Constitutional Assembly. Neither ia
he Jewish religion specifically mentioned.
though freedom for all creeds or sects, whether
fbristian or otherwise, is among the subjects
mich will be dealt with The various subjects
rtn be referred to committees for early report
The ukase was issued so late that its con-
s.uts were not generally known. even in the
Newspaper offices. till long after midnight. It
vas considered to be a document whose uld-
nate value depended largely upon the inter
,station given by the various committees
the measure Of liberty which it was posi-
he 70 grant under the various heads named.
Naturally. it has not met the fullest wishes
81 the Liberals, but on the other hand It is re-
ga-ded by the reactionaries as promising en-
tfely too much IN the direction of liberal re-
sorne ambiguity of expression in the various
sections of the document. which must be left
to Interpretation by those to whom the vari--
pts reforms are intrusted.
The imperial decree. which is entitled "a
Scheme for the Improvement OF the Adrninistra-
tipn of the State" is addressed to the Senate
and IS as follows:
& In accordance with the revered will of our
crowned predecessor, and thinking increasingly
of the welfare of the realm intrusted TO us by
God, we regard It our duty and the govern
nent's duty, IN conjunction with undertaking
maintenance of the imnutability OF the funda-
mental laws Of the empire, to have untlrlng
care for the country's needs, distinguishing be-
tween ali that is really in the interests of the
Russian people and tendencies not seldom mis-
taken and influenced by transitory circuIn-
stances.
+ When the need Of this or that change is
proved ripe then we consider 1t necessary 10
meet it. even though the TRANSFORMATION TO
which this leads involves the introduction OF
. essential innovations in legislation.
We do not doubt that the realization of auch
In undertaking will meet the sympathy of the
rsA disposed section of our subjects, VINO see
sc srna pfrEgSy me iarsefea ,s t5e ,,nin+are
rapted satisfaction OF the daily needs OF the
people.
for the best ordering Of the life of the most
numerous OF our estates the peasant popule-
tion. we may remark that this matter is al
ready under examination.
sinnuIta neously with a detailed investigation
Of the initial proposals Of the Ministry Of the
Interior which are being carried out locally.
conferences are being held by commits
soners especially selected from the most ex-
perienced of the highest administrative off,
oials, regarding the most important questions
Of peasant life. assisted in their Investigation
Of the general needs OF the agricultural indus
try by the knowledge and experience Of local
committees. We command these to labor TO
bring these laws regarding peasants into unity
with the general imperial legislation thereby
facilitating the task Of attaining permanent
eurity Of this estate. which by decree of the
Gar LAberator is recognized consisting of
free citizens possessing full rights.
Surveying the wide domain OF the peoples
rttermost needs. We regard ss urgent in the
Interest OF the legal strengthening Of civic and
public life
First-The adoption Of effective measures for
safeguarding the law in its full force as the
most important pillar OF the throne of the auto
cratic empire. in order that its inviolable fulfil
ment for all alike shall be regarded as the first
duty by all the authorities and in all places
subject TO u.s. that its n-ful1lment shall in
evitably bring with IL legal responsibility for
every arbitrary act. and that persons who have
suffered wrong by such acts shall be enabled to
secure legal redress.
Second-That local and municipal institutions
should have wide scope possible in the
administration of various matters affecting
local welfare and that they should have con-
ferred upon them the necessary independence
within legal limitations. and that representa-
dives OF all sections OF the population interested
IN local matters should be called upon under
squAble conditions, TO take part in these in
sttutions, with view to the completest salts
faction possible Of their needs. Besides the
governments and ZenstYos' district institutions
hitherto existing, there should be established in
close connection with them public institutions
for the administration of local affairs in local
tiles Of smaller extent.
Third-That in order to secure equality of
persons of all classes before the law, steps
should be taken to bring about the necessary
unihcation OF judicial procedure through the
empire and to assure independence of the courts:
Fourth-That for the further development OF
the measures introduced by Us Tor the protection
OF workrnen in factories. workshops and COM
nercial establishments, attention is to be given
10 the question of the Introduction or state IN
gurance for workmen.
Fifth-That there should be revision Of the
exceptional laws decreed at the time or an ul-
psraIleled outbreak of criminal activity on the
part Of enemies of public order, and the appli-
cation Of which was attended with q grave eX-
tension Of tine discretionary power Of the ad-
ministratiye authorities; and that at the same
time steps should be taken to circunscribe their
application within the narrowest possible linn
rs and 10 assure that Limitation Of the rights
oI private persons involved IN that application
shsh only be permitted in cases where the actual
safety Of the State is threatened.
sxth-That in confirmat tion of my undertaking
hearts desire expressed In the imperial man
lfesto Of March g. 1903. for the protection by the
fundamental laws OF the empire of tolerance in
matters Of faith. the laws dealing with the
rights OF communities and persons belonging to
heterodox and non Christian confessions should
ee submitted to revision, and that independ-
entity Of this. measures should be taken for the
removal of all limitations the exercise Of
thsir religions not directly mentioned IN the law.
Seyenth-That there should be such revision Of
EXISTING ordinances limiting the rights of for
eigners and measures in certain territories Of
the empire that in future there shall remain only
such of them required by the present
o ~ manifest
q the Russian people.
Eigfth-Tbaf All ,nneressary restrictions