Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-01-18
Points Out That Ukase of Dec Is
Has Not Changed Radically the
Principles Of the Laws
PEASANT LAWS REVISION.
Preservation Of the Old Status Is Not
Precluded The Ukase is
Interpreted.

st. Petersburg, Jan, iS-rhe 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 reform
peasant laws, pointing out that the idea
that the imperial ukase Of Dec % has
radically changed the principles Of the
laws Is due to misapprehenslon. The
ukase. proceeds the circular, confirms
anew the necessity for necessarily
striving to attain the goal marked out
therein. The decree of Jan I, 1904, pro-
vlded for revision Of the peasant laws
on the basis Of the reforms Of 1861, and
ordered that due consideration be given
10 the invlolability OF communal prop
erty, while at the same time faoiltat-
Ing the removal Of individual peasants
to their respective communities without
the appropriation OF their holdings
therein.
These principles are fully preserved
by the ukase OF Dec. 25, which ordered
object Of bringing them In unison with
the general legislation Of the empire,
enabling the peasantry 10 fully enjoy
their rights as free countrymen in ac-
cordance with the spirit of the law of
1861
The circular adds that the ukasc 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 complete
abolition OF the recognized status of the
peasants which is requisite for the full
flmcnt Of their own special needs
Proof may be cited that other classes
existing under the general laws also
have special communal organizations.
The circular calls attention 10 the fact
that the ukase Of Dec. % specially
dwelt on the urgent necessity for uni
formity in the judicial procedure IN
order TO secure the legal equality Of
an classes and assure the necessary
Independence OF the judicial authors
ties. and proceeds
''YThis, however, must not he regard
ed as absolute prcdetermlnatlon Of tbs
question Of the abolition Of the peasant
courts, the present isolation Of which
may be remedied and their independ-
ence assured The imperial decree OF
Dec. % does not make a change OF any
kind, on the contrary, II directly sug-
gests the maintenance Of the import
ant functions committed TO the pro-
yincial conference.
Regarding the inquiry mentioned In
the ukase into the most important
questions Of peasant life and the needa
Of agriculture by n special conference,
this Inquiry Is confined to the consid-
Grafton of communications OF opinions
of the local committees and can only
contribute to the elucidation OF The
needs OF the peasants without depriv-
ing of their Importance the reports OF
the provincial conferences which
doubtless win serve as the basis for the
final elaboration OF the peasant laws"
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
ernors to take all measures to assure
that the work OF the provincial confer
cnce Ia continued and brought to a
conclusion with the utmost rapidlty
and that the members OF the confer
ences are granted power TO freely state
their opinions 80 that full expression
may be given to the true views Of those
conversant with the needs Of the
peasantry.'