New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-07
THE Reform MOYEMENT.
Agitation Increasing Throughout the
C2ar'S Territory.

:
programme. and hundreds of thousands of copies
being printed for circulation in all parts of
European Russia The first and main point of
the programme is the establishment of demo-
cratic republic on the ruins of the autOcracy.
and besides the usual points of Social Democrat
ic doctrine it includes many arguments especial
~ directed to Russian conditions and designed
to appeal to the self-interest of the Russian
proletariat both agricultural and industrial.
It voices phrases familiar to the American
ear, such initiative and referendum" pub
lie ownership of public utilities etc.
The programme is divided under two heads.
the first being the politco-legal domain under
which it demands the institution of demo-
cratic republic with broad autonomy for the
provinces. municipalities and communes the
widest application of the federative principle OF
the relations between the various nationalities;
a direct secret universal ballot without distinc-
ton as to sex. nationality or religion; proper
+ional representation; direct popular legisat ton,
with the initiative and referendum; that all
officials be made elective, responsible and sub
iect 10 removal; separation of church and state;
con1plete freedom of conscience, speech. the
nrass assembly and association; right to strike;
COMPULSORY popular and gratuitOus educatlon'
abolition of the standing army and SUBSTITUTION
of a national militia.
Under the second head, National Economs
and Domain" the party favors the eight nodr
day, with a reduction for the more dangerous
and unsanitary occupations; minimum wage
scale: state insurance for all. the forms regu-
lated by the insured at the expense Of the state
AM. employers; regulation of factory construc-
ton; prohibition Of child labor below sixteen
and of female labor at certain occupations;
professional organization of workmen. with an
increasing share in the internal management Of
institutions. In agraran policy the party de-
clares that the earth is the common heritage OF
all citizens and demands the specialization of all
land or such approach to abolition of private
ownership as is practicable including the Sc
| auestration Of crown church and state lands,
turning them over to the communes, and the
/ Limitation and conversion of rents into an in
| come tax payable to the commune In finance
the party favors progressive income and in
heritance taxes. inappHcable to small incomes;
the abolition of indirect taxes and the protect
J i've system except as to objects of luxury 1t
| also favors the common ownership Of all util-
| ties. free medical assistance, development Of
! cooperation on strictly democratic principles,
/ and measures tending to the Independence Of
! the working classes of governmental bureauc-
/ racy
The document closes with warning to work
! ingmen against state socialism" which it de-
! clares to be a system of half measures. delud-
] ing workers. COnCeulIdllIlB llOuSAAJ anu NOi4iT
merce in the hands of the governing bureauc-
racv. and urging the summoning of a constitu-
ent Assembly. wherein it proposes TO conduct
] the campaign for the dissolution of the auto
/ cratic regime and the transformation of the ex-
! listing order.
s. Petersburg. April 6-The reports of peas
ant uprisngs in the Baltic provinces, especially
in Lithuania and Courland continue to be eX-
} a WaTra
roert of CossacHs fired on a mob which had
couplete possession of the town, the rioters
were dispersed but the latter broke up into
smaller bands. which terrorized the neighboring
7 land owners Dispatches from dozens Of places
tell of panic produced by the depredations Of
rowing bands Of peasants.
The agrarian agitation is regarded as the
result of irritation of the peasants against the
( controlling privileged classes, the savage char
acter Of the movement being due to the nom
civilization of Russian village life and the ao-
sence of peaceable means Of protest
Moscow. ApriI 6.-The last act of the Congress
( Of Doctors from all parts of Russia, which was
in session here yesterday, was 10 despatch
telegram TO Maxim Gorky, addressed to him as
/ "a valiant defender of the rights Of man, and
saying:
synpathzing with your misfortunes, the Con-
]
I sion of the proceedings against you ana the
restoration of your complete liberty
A general meeting of representatives of the
/ higher schools of Russia here to-day adopted
series of strong resolutions, not only demanding
a revision of the whole educational system Of
! The empire including freeing the schools and
Universities from government control but de-
! claring for a constitutional regime
( ,amara Southeast Russia, April 1.-THE Ex-
change here. representing commercial connec-
,tone over region inhabited by seven million
1 raonle has telegraphed 10 NJ Bouligan, Min
| ister Of the Interior. that the whole area is III
! . condition of extreme excitement and that
/ terrible catastrophe is only avoida6le by I'M
| r,adiately summoning representatives OF the
( neoDle in accordance with the terms OF the i'm
/ perial rescript
! The Exchange also demanded representation
4 -, the commission which is considering the
! subject
! The peasants are greatly aroused over the re-
Its that the Intellectuals, are seeking to re-
urn them to a condition OF slavery
Forisoff Minsk Russia. April al many
nlaces in the Ninsk government the peasants
are refusing to pay rent for their iand' de-
,Iartne that II belongs TO them me land
$3.50 are nowerless, as the peasants threaten
| - a.strov everything II troops are summoned.
Orion. April 6.-Ths asmstvOs Of the govern