Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-27
CARS REFORM UKASE
1oNG-ExPECTED DOCUMENT IS
SUED IN ST. PETERSBURG.
Contains Decidedly Liberal Promises
Home Rule for zemstyos-Peasant
Laws and Enlarged Rights.

Emperor Nicholas long-expected reform
ukase was issued In ST. Petersburg last
night. 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 presi-
dents held here last month, and while not
specifically pledgng the government 10
carry out the various reforms in their en-
| tirety, as demanded by the memorial, prom
| Uses that each shall be referred to the coun-
| Gil of ministers, with orders to report
promptly on the fullest measures of relief
which can be accorded on the various sub
jects.
One question not touched by the ukase is
| that of the constitutional assembly. Neither
| is the Jewish religion specifically mention
ed, though freedom for all creeds or sects
whether Christian or otherwise, is among
the subjects which will be dealt with.
Provisions in Brief.
In brief. the subjects which will be re-
ferred to committees of the council of min
listers for early report are
1. just and equable enforcement of eX-
listing laws with view to securing the
harmonious administration of all the courts
2. Zemstvo organization, with a view to
giving the widest latitude and autonomy
ditional zemstvo representatives where re-
CURED. and creating smaller ZemstvO units
capable of dealing directly with the local
needs of the peasants.
3. Equality of all citizens before the law,
this touching the much-mooted question of
peasant equality before the courts.
4. Arranging a scheme of workmen S as
surance, for the benefit and protection OF
factory workers throughout the empire.
5. To secure citizens against arbitrary ar
rest and to accord immunity from harsh
action of the police, except in the cases of
persons known to be conspiring to commit
overtures against the stability of the state.
9. The religious freedom of all subjects of
the empire without respect of creed or man
ner of worship.
Z. For resembling all unnecessary repres-
sive laws, leaving in force only those de-
signed for the protection of peasants and
for the benefit generally of subjects of the
empire.
8. To accord the fullest possible measure
of liberty to the press and the removal,
far as possible, of the various restrictive
laws.
The ukase was issued so late that its con-
tents were not generally known, even in
the newspaper offices, till long after mid
night Among those able to express an
opinion it was considered to be a document
whose ultimate value depended largely upon
the Interpretation given by the various
committees as to the measure of liberty
which 1t is possible to grant under the va
rious heads named.
The imperial decree, which is entitled "a
scheme for the Improvement of the admin
istration of the state is addressed to the
senate.
No Cessation in Public Agitation.
There seems to be no evidence of cessa-
ton of the agitation In different parts of
the country in favor of liberal reforms. The
situation is most acute in Moscow, where
the university is closed and the students,
tina pedagogic and other societies are in
constant state of ferment 1t develops
that the social revolution party in Moscow
before the demonstrations of December Is
and 10 practically issued a warning, con-
demnng to death Grand Duke Sergius and
Police Master Trepoff If during those dem
onstrations there should be a recurrence of
the police brutality which was witnessed
in st. Petersburg
Subsequently the students decided to not
only cease attending lectures, but to dem
onStrate on the occasion of the burial of
the victims of the rioting of December Is
and 10, to ally themselves with the labor
movement and to take up arms in their
own defense. They also asked the profess
sors of the university to back up these de-
mands. AS a result, the latter obtained
permission to make a searching inquiry in
to all the circumstances.
Cen kuropatkin, according to an inter-
view with Prince Dolgorouky, head of
the Moscow Red Cross detachment at the
front, has added his voice in favor of
broader activity of the zemstvos. This may
be fraught with immense significance
later