Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-07
FOR RUSSIAN REFORMS
DRAFT OF A CONSTITUTION SUB
MITTED TO THE CAR.
Scheme Grants Absolute Freedom Of
Conscience-More Liberal Treat
ment of Jews and Firms.

| The Paris Matin says that the following
! are the principal points in a constitution
| submitted by Minister of Agriculture Yerm-
| oloff to the cZar:
| The assembling of delegates from all the
| provincial zemstvos to formulate a consti-
| tuition which, while maintaining the auto
| cratic rights and supreme powers of the
| car, will aim at satisfying the needs,
| whether more less urgent, of the people.
| This assembly will not be called the zem-
| ski sober, but will be a chamber composed
| of representative and legislative elements.
The laws voted by this chamber will have
! to receive the sanction of the car before
| coming into force
| The budget of the imperial house and the
| acts of the emperor or of members of his
| family must not form the subject of debate
| IN the chamber.
| Liberty of the Press.
! The question of the liberty of the press
will be definitely examined, as well as that
| of the abolition of the censorship.
| The regulation of the duties and rights of
| students.
| The opening of a school in every village,
| and compulsory education.
! The expense of maintaining these schools,
| which has hitherto been borne by the peo-
|
| and other classes.
| A reduction of the taxes which have in
numbered landed property.
| Assistance to peasants to enable them to
| acquire land, and reduction of certain
direct and indirect taxes
| Laws to ameliorate the lot of workmen;
| insurance for workmen in case of accident,
| and superannuation fund for workmen
| who had suffered in following their calling.
| Inspectors to be commissioned to inves-
| tigate several times a year the condition
of workmen.
Schools for Workmen's Children.
Schools for workmen's children. to be
| maintained at the expense of employers.
| Permission for Jews to follow any trade,
and to live without restriction in any part
! of Russia.
Jews to be admitted much more freely to
! the higher schools, and Jews, Poles Firms
| and Armenans to have their rights, with
out regard to nationality or religion.
Exiles to be brought back by admins
| trative means
| Absolute liberty of conscience The open
| ing of chapels and synagogues and the free
practice of any form of worship.
| The organization of medical attendance
for the poor and an increase in the number
| of hospitals.
Incidents at the Meeting.
The st. Petersburg correspondent of the
Echo de Paris sends the following account
| of the circumstances under which the
cars rescript of last Friday, promising a
certain degree of representative govern
ment, was published: ~
The ministers arrived at Tsarskoe-Selo in
a state of CONSERVATION at the tone of the
ezars manifesto, which had been issued
that morning. cabinet meeting had been
summoned under the cars presidency to
discuss the rescript. The ministers, when
the cabinet met, expressed to the cZar their
establishment at the manifesto.
They said it eXpedient to finish and
issue the rescript, in view of possible event
ualities next day, the anniversary of the
emancipation of the serfs. The emperor
however, thought the manifesto would be
sufficient to calm public feeling
NJ. Boulyguine, the minister of the in
terror, declared that the rescript must be
published. Otherwise serious occurrences
After Minister Boulyguine had spoken
Finance Minister Kokovtsoff again urged
the publication of the rescrpt.
Gear Was Deliberative.
The car said: Very well, I'll sign it,"
Then looking a the table, he pointed out
that neither pen nor ink had been provided
When pen and ink had been brought the
car took up the pen and reflected hest
tatingly. The ministers, who had risen
| from their seats, watched their sovereign
| in silence The emperor bent his eyes upon
signature
| The cabinet council then hastily dispersed
and the ministers, hurrying to ST. Peters
burg, ran to the Office of the Official Mes
senger and gave it the document for pub
LEGATION.
| person who was present at the cabinet
| meeting said to the Echos correspondent:
up to the last moment | was afraid that
the car would stop the pubica ton of the
rescript by telephone. l breathed freely
| only when the first. copies of the Official
| Messenger containing it had been sold''
Time Limit for Action.
1t is announced at ST. Petersburg that
the commission of which Senator Chidloy-
sky is president, and which was to have
| ingmen, will be annulled if the election of
| the workngi,en's delegates is not COM
| pleted within three days
The representative assembly sanctioned
| by the rescript of March 3 will consist of
| the members of the council of the empire
and of deputies to be elected by the
Zemstvos.
In the rescript the car announced his
intention to the assembly as follows:
Il am resolved henceforth, with the help
of God, to convene the worthiest men pos
sesslng the confidence of the people and
elected by them to partcipa tie in the elabo-
ration and consideration of legislative meas
ureS.
FIRE INSURANCE LOSSES IN 1904.
Greater Than in 1908, but Assets and