Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-19
FOR RUSSIAN REFORMS
TEXT OF THE CARS MANIFESTO
FOR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

The text of the cars manifesto the
subject of a national assembly is as fol-
lows:
''rhe empire of Russia is formed and
strengthened by the indestructible solidarity
of the car with the people and of the peo-
pie with the ear. The concord and union
of the car and his people is great moral
force which has created Russia in the
course of centuries by protecting her from
all mlsfortunes and all attacks, and has
constituted to the present time pledge of
unity indie pendence, integrity material well
being and intellectual development in the
present and the future
In our manifesto of February 81, 1903, we
called to close understanding all faithful
sons of the fatherland in order to perfect
the organization of the state by establishing
sondly the order of the domestic life OF the
state and Of them. We devoted ourselves
to the task of Co-ordinatIng the elective
and public institutions with the govern
mental authorities and removing the dis
agreements existing between them which
reacted so disastrously on the normal course
of the national life
The CZarS of our ancestors constantly
had that object in view. and the time Is
come 10 follow out their good intentions
and summon elected representatives from
the whole of Russia TO take a constant and
active part in the elaboration OF the laws,
attaching for this purpose to the higher
state institutions a special consultative body
and discussion of measures and the exami-
nation of the state budget
Preserving Autocratic Power.
ut is for this reason that. while preserv-
ing the fundamental law regarding auto
cratic power, have deemed It we'll to
form a Eosoudarstvennaia duma Estate
CounciD and approve regulations for cleo
tons to this duma extending the validity
of these laws to the whole territory OF the
empire. with some exceptions only may
be considered necessary in the case OF some
regions in which special conditions obtain.
LAS regards participation in the labors OF
the goSOudarStVennata duma of delegates
from the grand duchy of Finland for ques-
tons concerning the empire In general and
the grand duChy in particular we Will take
special measures. AT the same time we have
ordered the minister of the interior to sub
nit immedia tely for our appreciation regua
tions for elections to the duma that
delegates from fifty governments and the
military province of the Don may be able to
assemble not later than the middle OF Janu-
airy, 1906.
we reserve to ourselves entirely the care
OF perfecting the organization of the gosou-
darstveniaia duma, and when the course OF
events has shown the necessity OF changes
corresponding completely to the needs of
the times and the welfare of the empire we
shall not fail to give a the proper moment
the necessary indication.
Confidence in the People
I'VE convinced that those who are
elected by the confidence of the whole peo-
pie, and who are now called upon to take
part in the legislative work of the govern
ment will show themselves in the eyes of
all Russia worthy of the imperial trust in
virtue of which they have been invited to
cooperate in this great work, and that in
perfect harmony with the other institutions
and authorities of state established by us
they Will contribute proftably and zealously
TO our labors for the well-being OF our
common mother, Russia, and for the
strengthening of the unity security and
greatness Of the empire. we'll for the
tranquility and prosperity of the people
In invoking the blessing of the Lord on
the labors of the institutions established
with the unshakable confidence in the grace
of God and in the infallibilty of the great
historical destines reserved by divine Prov
fdence for our beloved fatherand we firmly
hope that with the help of God Almighty
and the combined efforts of all her sons
Russia will emerge triumphant from the
trying ordeals through which she is
passing and will renew her strength in the
greatness and glory of her history, extend
ing thousand years.
NICHOLAS"
Provisions for Constitution.
Provisions for a constitution are set forth
in the document at great length. The first
paragraph declares that the duma Is es-
tablished for the preliminary study and dis
cussion of legislative propositions which,
according to the funda mental laws will be
submitted to the supreme autocratic au-
thority by the council of the empire. Sub
sequent paragraphs decree that the mem
bers of the duma shall be elected by popu-
lation. In accordance with specified regula-
lions. for five years. The duma is dis
solvable by the emperor before the expira-
ton OF five years, and new elections can be
ordered by imperial decree
The length OF sessions and adjournrnents
are to be determined by the emperor. The
expenses or the duma are to be betrayed
from the Imperial treasury. The president
and vice president TO be elected an
nualiy from among the members. The
president shall report to the emperor
The members take the following oath:
We promise to perform duties to
the best OF our knowledge Ind ability in
all loyalty to his majesty and IN ndful only
OF the welfare of Russia"
Freedom of Speech
The members of the duma will enjoy
absolute freedom In expressing their opirion
on matters within the competence of the
duma, and they are not responsible to their
rectors They can only be deprived of
liberty by order of the judicial powers, and
cannot be arrested for debt.
various circumstances involving TIE loss
OF membership set forth. but the meu,-
bers are only temporarily barred from at
tending sessions If accused and prosecuted
for crime or declared bankrupt.
The members to get ten rubles a diy
during the session plus specified sum for
travelling expenses. Ministers and chiefs
of departments cannot become members
but they may attend the sessions To !nahe
explanations. The competence Of the duma
is thus stated:
The competence of the Guma shall ex-
tend ca 10 all questions relating to new
laws and the modification amplidcation
and temporary suspension appeal of ex-
listing laws. also to making or altering ap-
pointments TO the stats of the minis tries
and To the expenditure thereby involved;
tb) to departmental ministerial and ma
tonal budgets. and TO other expenditures
not provided for therein; tc) to the financial
report Of the controller of the empire; ~
TO the appropriation of any portion of the
revenue or property of the state; (e) to the
construction OF railways by the state; 90 to
the organization Of stock companies involv-
Ing exceptions from existing legislation; (gI
TO matters submitted to the duma by i'm
perial decree"
The duna is to have Jurisdiction in tn.
matter OF taxes In provinces whore there
are no zemstvos, as we'll in raising the
rate OF taxation above that provided by