Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-19
RUSSIAN DEPARTURE
Long-Sought Assembly Call
Issued by the Gar.
A NEW ERA FOR RUSSIA
MANIFESTO TODAY PROMUL-
GATES NATIONAL LEGISLATURE.
Points in Document Constituting Par
iament-Safeguards for Main
tenance of Autocracy.

The emperors manifesto promugating the
national assembly and the details of the
project published in the Official Messen-
ger at ST. Petersburg this morning were
read to the ruling senate, which met In
special session at noon today.
These important documents were not
given to the morning papers. but special
editions of the afternoon papers copied
them from the Official Messenger. These
editions were soon bought up and eagerly
perused
The feast of the TRANSPORTATION of Christ
is being celebrated today. All the shops
are closed and the city wears a holiday as
is not being specially celebrated. The man.
ifesto was not read in the churches today
This will be done tomorrow.
ST. PETERSBURG, August 19-The en-
peror lost no time In starting an investi-
cation into the best manner of securing rep
resentation in the national assembly of Po-
land and other districts not provided for in
the manifesto, which refers to them "as
some regions wherein special conditions OBJ
tain" An imperial decree issued this morn
ing appoints commission under the presi-
dency of Count Solsky, president of the
economic department of the committee of
ministers. to discuss the procedure to be
followed in elections for the duma In Po-
land, the Ural and Turgai districts, Siberia,
Turkestan, the Caucasus and among the
nomadic tribes.
The Commission is also instructed to ar
range for the revision Of the estimates of
the different ministries and the state bud
get as we'll as the grant of credits not pro-
vided for by the duma regulations. All
questions arising from the establishment
Of the duma are to be settled as expe-
dtiously as possible.
Text Of the Document.
The text Of the document constituting a
Russian parliament discloses many points
Of special interest to foreigners enjoying
d. constitutional government. Safeguards FOR
the maintenance Of the autocratic power of
the emperor crop out continually in the
course of the lengthy document. Although
the members are to be elected for q five
year term, paragraph 3 provides that the
duma can be dissolved by the emperor be-
fore the expiration of the term of five years
and new elections ordered by imperial
ukase'
Paragraph sets forth that the length of
the sessions of the duma and It's adjourn
ments during the year shall be determined
by the emperor. Paragraph IL provides
that the president OF the duma shall report
to the emperor Other paragraphs provide
that in case of dispute between the cabinet
ministers and the duma in regard to bills
the emperor shall have the final word as to
the disposition thereof.
Oath by Members.
The oath to be taken by the members is
as follows:
I'VE promise to perform our duties to the
best of our knowledge and ability, in all
loyalty to his majesty and mindful only Of
the welfare Of Russia"
Members of the duma can only be de-
prived of their liberty or limited therein by
order of the judicial power, and they may
not be arrested for debt. Their payment is
provided for at the rate of 10 roubles (about
$5) per day during the session, and mem
bers will receive for travelling expenses D
kopecs per verst twice yearly to and from
ST. Petersburg
The usual provisions are made for the
removal suspension of dsorderly MEM
bers and for holding executive sessions!
Paragraph Al debars the public from adj
mission to either the general or sectional
sessions. but gives the president of the
duma the right to admit representatives Of
the press to the open sessions.
10 VI AL SPSd 0CSoAoAS.
Another clause provides for the prepara-
ton by sworn stenographic reports of all
sittings Of general session of the duma
with the exception Of the executive ses-
sions. These reports may be made public
with the approval Of the president of the
duma. The electoral scheme debars gov
ernors, vice governors, police projects and
their subordinates from the voting places
In the districts where they exercise their
functions.
The elections will be held under the gen
eral supervision of the minister Of the in
terror. governors and police projects, while
each electoral ward In the principal cities
will have an electoral commission consist
ing of president and two members chosen
by the mayor from among the possessors of
the franchise. Civil functionaries may not
be elected to the dunn aunless they re-
sign their posts, nor may any one be elected
who is not acquainted with the Russian
language.