The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-01-19
Regarding Reforms in
thc PesSanfry
Laws.
MISAPPREHENSION
OF UKAsE ISSUED DECEMBER 25,
CAUSED BELIEF THAT PRINCI-
PIES OF THE PEASANTRY LAWS
WERE TO BE RADICALLY
CHANGED

st. Petersburg, Jan. 1S.-The minis
ter of the interior, Sviatopolk-Mirsky.
has sent a circular to the governors
of the provinces in which conferences
have been convened to consider re-
form peasant laws pointing out that
the idea that the imperial ukase of
December 25 has radically changed
the principles of the laws, is due TO
Misrepresentation. The ukase, pro
ceeds the circular confirms anew the
necessity 70 necessarily striving to
attain the goal marked out therein.
The decree of January II, 1904, pro-
vided for a revision of the present
laws on the basis of reforms of 1861
and ordered that due consideration
be given to the inviOlabiity of COM
munal property, while at the same
time facilitating the removal OF in
dividual peasants to their respective
communities without the expation OF
their holdings therein. These prin-
ciples are fully preserved by the ukase
of December 25, which ordered a re-
vision of the peasant laws with the
object of bringing them in unison with
the general legislation of the empire
enabling the peasaRtry to fully enjoy
their rights in accordance with the
law of 1861.
Old Status Unchanged.
The circular adds that the ukase by
no means precludes the preservation
of the old status of the peasant which
had been evolved from ancient times.
There can be no question of the COM
plete abolition of the recognized status
of the peasants which is requisite for
the fulfllment of his own special
needs. Proof may be cited that other
classes existing under the general law
also have special communal organ
izations.
The circular calls attention TO the
fact that the ukase of December %
respectfully dwelt on the urgent ne
cessity for uniformity in the judicial
procedure in order to secure the legal
equality of all classes and insure the
necessary independence of the judicial
authorities and proceeds:
This, however, must not be regard
ed as absolute predeterminatiOn Of
the question of the abolition of the
peasant courts the present isolation
of which may be remedied and the
independence assured The imperial
decree of December % does not make
change of any kind On the con-
trary, it directly suggests the mainte-
nance of the important functions COM
mitted to the provincial conferences.
Confined to Opinions.
Regarding the enquiry mentioned
in the ukase into the most important
questions of peasant life and the
needs OF agriculture by a special con-
ference, this enquiry is confined to the
consideration of communications of
the opinions of the local committees
and can only contribute to the eluci-
dation of the needs of the peasants
without depriving of their importance
the reports of provincial conferences
which doubtless will serve as the
basis for the final elaboration of the
peasant law"
In conclusion the circular says:
The considerations above set forth
by the minister of the interior have
been approved by the emperor. The
minister therefore directs the gov
errors to take all measures to assure
that the work of the provincial con-
ferences is continued and brought to
conclusion with the utmost rapidity
and that the members of the confer
ences are granted power to freely
state their opinions, so that full ex-
preston may be given TO the true
views of those connected with the
peasantry."