New-York tribune., 1906-05-27
THE IMPERIAL REPLY.
Tert of address Refusing to Grant
Popular Demands.

81. Petersburg. May 26.-The governments re-
fusal 70 grant the demands Of the lower house
of parliament was read before the house by
Premier Goremykin, and was as follows:
The government. after examining the address
of the lower house of parliament, in accordance
with the instructions Of the Emperor, Is Iully
prepared TO lend its entire support 10 the eIap-
Grafton Of the questions suggested by the lower
house IN so far as they do not go beyond limits
of the legislative initiatives assigned to the
lower house This support the government will
also extend TO the amendment Of the franchise
law although IL is Of the opinion that this ques-
ton should not be made the subject OF im1ne-
diate discussion. inasmuch as the lower mousse
IS only Just entering upon its labors, and there
fore is not yet in a position to ascertain the
need OF such change.
OF Ministers IN regard TO the questions raised by
the lower house Of satisfying, without delay, the
needs Of the rura! population and placing the
peasants on footing Of equality with the. other
classes Of satisfying the requirements Of the
working people, Of framing measure providing
for obligatory elementary education Of making
the wealthier classes liable 20 the payment Of
taxes OF reorganizing the provincial adn1inistra-
tion and of introducing a system Of self-govern-
ment, with special consideration for the peculiar
conditions Of the frontier provinces.
The Council Of Ministers attaches no less i'm
portance to the suggested law relating to the
liberty OF the subject of conscience and OF the
press and 10 freedom Of meeting and associa-
ton. Nevertheless, it considers it necessary in
preparing such laws to provide the administra-
government 10 prevent or counteract any abuse
Of the liberties conceded.
With reference 10 the solution Of the agrarfan
question by the transfer of the crown appanages
and monastery and church lands and by the
forcible appropriation Of private landed prop
erty, which includes the private property of
peasants, the Council of Ministers holds it To be
ITS DUTY To declare that such method is wholly
inadulissible. The government cannot deprive
one party OF its possessions in order TO bestow
them on another. To contest the right of the
private possession Of land would in fact he n
contest the right 10 possess any private property
al all. Throughout the world and in ali grades
os me development OF civil life the invioabllity
OF property constitutes the cornerstone of the
welfare Of the people and the fundamental hasie
CT the life OF the state The resources stil AZ to
disposal Of the state and the wide anTI;co 49,
OF legal methods will doubtless helm - 60 =
Ruccessful solution Of the agrartan oraetior
without undermining the T,or-sT. 20 - ex IoIl
land. " Inc 4atner-
The other laws referred 10 by the lower house
louCh on the responsibility Of the ministers and
L.e apo!ltlon or the upper house The C'orncfI
oI ministers does not feel itself justified in en-
teTNA!hlng these proposals. as they involve "a Al
Sa4 a4IeTat lions OF the fundamental law ana con
SIIIlohs which are beyond the province of The
many as regards the solicitude Of the Io,,or
Use 10 secure justice and right tn the arm,
- w the government declares that in tbo
Isrgz these principles are already firmly ns+abe
-4s- ana mat the solicitude of ts iIi,,e+rfo,,o
heao is now directed to the irarroyeT,ert 20 ot
aosilat position Of the soldiers and 10 deytsire
mans Tor a more extensive reaIiza +ioy7 ce 80
measures directed 10 that end VI lhe
eTt,odgf regards the proposed abolition of the ex-
c,sle 70 avs ara the arbitrary acts Of OFF,
,,,l1; 'le council Of Ministers considers tbis
~, aoiy WITHIN the domain Of public rnintstrae
80, ~ ~ %Llch the lower house has only the
,a1iS..9 ~ "let ptlIatlon Furthermore the con-
.tua';oh OF the administrat ton into a stata -
-, ~ iegaI!ty forms the subject Of special cars
o., Ite paft or the government which win rot
1sli 70 see that the conduct Of govarnroer+ "a
LIE 1rt Is inspired by similar endeavors Jan
Inc government also recognizes thar ,ba ,,.o-