The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-28
A BIT MORE REIN
SINCE YOU KICK
Or Rather Well Consid-
err the Matter.
so THE CAR REPLIES
The Ingenuity of His Ukase Promising
Reforms Consists in the Fact
That You Can Read into 1t Any
Meaning That You May
Wish.
(By the Associated Press.)

st. Petersburg, Dec. 26.-Emperor
Nicholas long expected reform ukase
was issued tonight The document
deals. under eight heads. with prac-
tically 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 as
sembly. Neither is the Jewish religion
specifically mentioned, though free
dom for all creeds or sects, whether
Christian or otherwise, is among the
subjects which will be dealt with.
In brief the subjects which will be
referred to committees of the coun-
Gil of ministers for early report, are:
First--A just and equable enforce
nient Of existing laws, with a view to
securing the harmonious administra-
ton of all the courts.
Second-Zemstyo organization with
q view to giving the widest latitude
and autonomy to the various district
IemstVoa. cstllin~ additional Zemstvo
representatives where required, and
creating smaller Zemstvo units capa-
BILE of dealing directly with the local
needs of the peasants.
Enthusiastically of all citizens be-
fore the law. this touching the much
mooted question of peasant equality
before the courts.
E'Oupfl--A fr3nOinp schema M
workmens assurance, for the benefit
and protection of factory workers
throughout the empire.
tffth-To secure citizens against
arbitrary arrest and to accord i'm
munity from harsh action of the po-
lice except in the cases of persons
known to be consplring to commit
overtures against the stability of the
State.
Sixth--The religious freedom of all
subjects of the empire without re-
spect of creed or manner of worship.
Seventil-For resembling all UNI
necessary repreSSiVe laws, leaving IN
force only those designed for the pro-
lection of peasants and for the benefit
generally of subjects of the empire.
Eighth-To accord the fullest pos
eible measure of liberty to the press
and the removal as far as possible of
the various restrictive laws.
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 depended largely upon the in
depreciation given by the various COM
mittees as to the measure of liberty.
which it is possible to grant under the
various heads named. Naturally It
has not met the fullest wishes of the
liberals, but on the other hand it is
regarded by the reactionaries as
promising entirely too much in the
direction of liberal reforms. 1t is
complained. also, that there is some
ambiguity of expression in the vari-
Gus sections of the document which
must be left to interpretation py
those TO whom the various reforms
are entrusted.