New-York tribune., 1905-11-25
ZEMSTVO CONGRESS SPLIT.
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ON POLISH AUTONOMY.
Many Think 1t Step Toscard Disso-
Iution of the Empire.

Moscow Nov. PA sharp division of senti-
ment on the question of Polish autonomy
cropped out at yesterdays session OF the
Zemstvo Congress devoted to the consideration
of the Polish problem.
More than fifty speakers demanded TO be heard
on the question, and while the majority of them
svmpathized with the request Of the Poles Tor
the abrogation of martial law, many were op-
posed TO autonomy. looking on it as the first
step toward the breaking up of the empire
The executive committee took into account
this sentiment in drafting a proposed resolu-
ton. which, while declaring that the congress
indorsed the decision of the September congress
with regard to the autonomy of Poland, the
question should be turned over to the hrst
douma for settlement. The friends OF Poiaho
on the floor were dissatisfied with the reso-
luton in this form. saying they wished Tor
an out-and-out and unqualified declaration IN
favor of autonomy. The compromise, however
is expected TO be acceptable to the majority
At midnight the debate was still In progress
The proposed resolution declares:
While confirming completely the decision OF
the previous congress in favor or the autonomy s
of Poland this congress considers as urgent
firstly the abolition of the state of siege IN
Poland secondly, the reference 10 the Tfst Ma
tional Assembly of the question Oh - tsn en-
tonomy on condition that the unity OF the EN- EN-
pire be preserved; and, thirdly, the lnInediate ,
Introduction of the Polish language IN the
primary schools and communal and other courts
OF Poland
A great mass of resolutions all conceivable
subjects was submitted at the opening OF the
session but the congress decided to defer action
until the completion Of the debate on the Polisn
question Among these a draft OF an ap-
neeI 70 the people for tranquility to enable the
government to put into effect the liberties
,roroised bv the Emperor's manifesto, and 10
enable the elections to the douma to be prop
erIv held. which, the appeal said, would be i'm
possible while the disturbances throughout the
country continued.
The only business not on the order OF the DAY
to be considered an amendment 10 inc
resolution calling for a general amnesty eA-
cepting from pardon those who committed po-
uticaI crimes accompanied by pillage and arson
The amendment was adopted by the legal COM
rnittee Of the congress, whose members declared
that otherwise the resolution would apply to
the outrages committed by the BLACK Hun
dred"
The resolution in support OF the government
as completed contains the following additlons
to the measures which the congress deems
necessary to be adopted before the assembling
of the national assembly.
The abolition of all exceptional laws martial
law the state OF siege, etc. and also the speclal
laws in regard to nationalities.
Wholesale changes in the personnel OF tne
administrative and police departments, placing
the police under the authority Of Zemstvos ana
municipalities. ..
Permission for the organization OF committees
for local self-protectton.
That complete amnesty be extended 10 IN
clude political and religious crimes since the
publication Of the reform MANIFESTO.