Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-19
The Russian Assembly.

1t is Impossible at TINS time 10 Judge as u
the real value to Russia of the cars re-
form measure creating lower popular as
sembly. Analysis of the whole project and
of the details may yield result gratifying
to those who believe that the empire has
turned into the path Of progress and uplift
or a result fattering to those who look for
continuation of the desolate conditions
that have for many years bred revolution.
massacre and reaction. 1t all depends upon
the point of view Of the analyst.
1t may be pointed out in proof Of the
futfIity of the measure, that the assembly
Is merely consultative and Is not strictly
speaking legislative; that the council of
ministers will continue to operate as check
and that the car will still WELD the auto
cratic power to suppress any tendency to-
ward genuine reform the curtailment OF
the privileges of the aristocracy and nobli-
ity. 1t may also be noted by the pessimistic
that the assembly VIII be elected under
restricted suffrage. carefully planned by the
elnperor'S advisers to permit manipulation.
1t may finally be contended that this In
operative show OF popular government will
permanently check the development toward
a constitutional empire.
On the other hand. there is no denying the
great point that the assembly, whatever
may be its real powers, however restricted
in scope however manipulated by official
influence is nevertheless distinct advance
from the present condition. 1t stands for a
recognition by heretofore stoutly resisting
emperor of the basic principle of popular
participation in the administration OF the
empire 1t is true that the assembly Will
have no more real power than the council
of ministers and the car may permit, that
the veto will be applied freely to check any
tendency toward real government by the
people. But, on the other hand. here Will
exist delibera tive body. or, at least, a de-
batting society in the name OF the people,
competent under the law of it's rganization
to discuss the state of the empire In SPECIFIC
terms, under pledges Of immunity from
punishment.
While 1t remains true that the czar re-
tains the power to dissolve the assembly at
will, he has nevertheless created a body
which can in an emergency stand before the
empire as the representative OF the people
Russia will have at last a nucleus for the
propag ga ton of the pacific revolution, a for
mally organized, officially sanctioned body
of representatives of the people. through
which the voice of the subject mass can be
always heard.
Analogies will doubtless be drawn between
this Russian body and the states general
summoned by Louis XVI in the day or
Frances desperate financial straits. II IS
always, however. to be remembered that
while Nicholas may prove in the hour OF
trial as weak as Louis, Nicholas Is sur
rounded by an organization which had no
parallel IN the French monarchy of 1889.
Yet 1t Is unsafe to predict as to Russia's
future. A new element has been injected
into the situation, that of popular represen-
taton in formally organized assembly
which, whatever its lack of real Legislative
power. Is nevertheless so great an advance
in principle that Russia may be said to
have entered. by the mere issuance of the
imperial manifesto. upon new era.
Whether IL will be for good or I'll. for the
uuchaining or the greater, more ruthless
enslavement of the Russian people, remains
to be seen.