Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-23
FOR LIMITED SUFFRAGE
RUSSIAN CABINET TOOK DECIDED
STAND AFTER LONG SESSION.

A cablegram from st. Petersburg last
night says: At session Of the cabinet,
presided over by Emperor Nicholas, it was
decided that universal suffrage should not
be granted. The decision was reached after
a session lasting until long after midnight.
The emperor and the cabinet have reach
ed a final decision regarding the electoral
law.
The decision Is in favor of the extension
Of the suffrage law promulgated August
10 last, to include, in addition to the small
land owners in the country, the workmen
and the educated classes, the small rent
payers in the cities.
The douma will be convoked in March.
Strike Result in Doubt.
1t is dificult to Judge whether the general
political strike can be ranked as a success
or a failure. The authorities are bewilder-
ed by the strength of the strikers. and the
strike has reached formidable proportions
in st. Petersburg, where, even according
to the officials, over third of the work
men obeyed the order OF the workmen' 8
council.
The strike leaders are confidently assert
ing that the others will be brought into
line immediately. The government, how
ever, has succeeded in keeping railroad
traffic out of st. Petersburg moving with
reasonable regularity.
The scanty dispatches received from the
interior do not indicate whether the order
to strike Is meeting with general re-
sponse which will be necessary to prevent
1t from flashing in the pan like the No
vember strike.
Wholesale Arrests Made.
The government, while entering on a Wig
orous offensive campaign against the revo-
lutionary leaders and making arrests by
the wholesale, maintains an air Of calm
confidence It has issued a reassuring COM
munication declaring that all necessary
measures have been taken to prevent dis
orders.
The proletariat organizations are mar
slaline all their forces. The prevailing I'M
preston Is that with the limited funds at
the disposition Of unions the strike must
spread rapidly and enter new and more
Violent phase or the game will be lost by
General December and General Hun
GER are powerful allies on the side OF tne
were In the fight against Napoleon, and y
fs Thought that the leaders will not be able
TO hold their men In line unless an tmme-
date victory 10 scored or conflict forced
and blood shed.
Revolutionists Surprised.
The government. 1t is now apparent, took
the revolutionists on their guard and fore
ed the Issue, prefering test of strength
before the workmen,s organisation was
complete, confident that q defeat win great
" impair the prestige of the revolutionary
leaders among their followers ana afford
the government time to marshal the forces
Of conservatism. which are Disguised with
the prevailing chaos, and give the govern
ment time to hold the elections.
The engineer Of Kursk train was shot
dead in the cab Of his engine while taking
his train into st. Petersburg. N. Mime
chaieff, minister OF Communications, has
issued an order that all employees falling to
report for duty today win be dismissed.
Agitators viii be prosecuted to the full ex-
tent OF the law. Throughout the city no
tices signed by the project Of police have
been posted, announcing that In accordance
with the strike law agitators who incite
the people to strike By using threats Will
be arrested and are subject to q dne Of
$50 and imprisonment for three months.
The landtlrds throughout the country were
empowered by an imperial uIxase mada pub
Iic today to organize for the protection OF
their property.
Earring tbs NIGHT the authorities succeed-
90 ia getting su11cfeut numner Of sailors
from Grouatadf to enable the operation 81
all sxcepf on6 ~ The e3ectxfc 1ightin4 Dl1utr,
which WnA also 6n1ilnx - 3h4 atk1If@f6, -