The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-27
Imperial Ukase Issued Last
Night is Very Liberal
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW
M. Wltte Seems to Again Be High in
the Favor of the Emperor-RelIef
for the Zemstvo-Llberty of
the Press.

st. Petersburg, December 26-Emperor
Nicholas long expected reform in the
ukase was issued tonight The document
deals under eight heads with practically
all the subjects brought to the emperor's
attention by the memorial of the congress
of zemstvos 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 measures of relief which can be
accorded on the various subjects.
One question not touched by the ukase
is that of the constitutional assembly
Neither is the Jewish religions specifically
mentioned, though freedom for all creeds
or sects, whether Christian or otherwise,
is among the subjects which will be dealt
with.
The various subjects will be referred to
committees for early report.
The ukase was issued SO late that its
contents were not generally known even
in the newspaper offices till long after
midnight. Among those able to express
an opinion, it was considered to be a
document whose ultimate value depends
largely upon the Interpretation given by
the various committees as to the measure
OF liberty which it is possible to grant
under the various heads named. Natur-
ally, it has not met the fullest wishes of
the liberals but on the other hand 1t Is
regarded by the reactionares as prom
ising entirely too much in the direction
of liberal reforms. It is complained also
that there Is some ambiguity of express
sion in the various sections of the docu-
ment, which must also be left to interpre-
tation by those to whom. the vsrieatsesre-.
forms are entrusted.
The imperial decree which is entitled
IA Scheme for the Improvement of the
Administration of the State" is address,
ed to the senate and Is follows:'
I'm accordance with the revered will of
our crowned predeccor and thinking of
the welfare of the realm entrusted to us
by God we regard 1t as our duty and
the peoples duty in conjunction with un-
deviating maintenance of tie immutabil-
ity of the fundamental laws of the empire
to have untiring care for the country's
needs, distinguishing all that is really in
the interests of the Russian people from
tendencies not seldom mistaken and in
huenced by transitory circumstances.
When the need of this or that change is
proved ripe then we consider it neces-
sary to meet it, even though the trans
formation to which this leads, involves
the introduction of essential Innovations
in legislation. We do not doubt that the
realization that such an undertaking will
meet with the sympathy of the we'll dis
posed section of our subjects, who see
the true prosperity of the fatherland in
the support of civil tranquility and unin-
terrupted satisfaction of the daily needs
Best Ordering of Life.
Placing in the forefront of our care,
thought for the best ordering of the life
of the most numerous of our estates, the
peasant population, We may remark that
this matter is already under considera-
tion.
simultaneously with detailed investi-
cation with the proposals of the ministry
interior, which are being carried out To-
eally, conferences are now being held
by commissioners specially selected from
amongst the most experienced of the high
administrative officials regarding the
most important questions of peasant life,
assisted in their investigations of the
general needs of the industry by the
knowledge and experience of local COM
mittees. We command those to labor to
bring the laws regarding peasants into
unity with the general imperial legisla-
tion, thereby facilitating the task of at
tanning permanent seeurity of this estate.
which by decree of tbs czar liberator. is
recognized as consisting of free Citizen
ship, possessing full and all rights.
Strengthening of Life.
Surveying the wide domain of the peo-
pies uttermost needs, we regard as ur-
gent in the interest of the legal strength
ening Of civic and public life.
u. The adoption of effective measures
for safeguarding the law in its full force
as the most important pillar of the throne
of the autocratic empire, in order that
its inviolable fulfillment for all alike shall
be regarded as the first duty by all the
authorities, and In all places subject to
us. that its non-fulfllment shall newt
ably bring with it legal responsibility for
every arbitrary act, and that persons
who have suffered wrong by such acts
shall be enabled to secure legal redress
80 That local and municipal institutions
should be given as wide scope as possible
in the administration of various matters
affecting local welfare, and that they
should have conferred upon them the
necessary independence within legal limi-
tations, and that representatives of all
sections of the population interested in
local matters should be called upon under
equitable conditions to take part in those
institutions, with a view to the complet-
est satisfaction possible of their needs.
Besides, the governments and zemstvos'
district Institutions, hitherto existing.
there should be also established in close
connection with them public institutions
for the administration of local affairs in
localities Of smaller extent.
'-3. That in order to secure equality of
persons Of all classes before the law,