New-York tribune., 1906-05-27
Parliament Demands Responsible Ministryeand Rejects
the Premier's Reply.
CROWN REFUSES DEMANDS OF PEOPLE
General Monday Threatened Movement Along
Sa-The Peasants Deeply Stirred

bassador Meyer. who accompanied by Mrs
Meyer and their daughters. and many other
diplomats were interested spectators ofrthe pro-
ceedings
The scene before the.opening-was one.of great
suppressed excitement All present were aware
that the response would utterly fail 10 meet the
wishes of the lower house. and there was a hur,
OF eager discussion over the effect of the resolu-
tions expressing lack OF confidence in the gov
ernrnent which the Constitutional Democrats
and the Labor party had drafted in aava,cs
President Mouromtset's bell called the session
to order, whereupon. without waiting for a,v
further preliminaries. Premier Goremykin
mounted the tribune and began reading the gov-
ernnent's declarations He Iabored under con-
Siderable strain. and spoke IL low. weak voice.
which at times. though absolute silence pre-
vailed. failed to reach the rear,or the great hall
The reading. which was rapid as II the Prap,isr
were in hurry to get through disagresabls
task, lasted eighteen minutes. The members
meanwhile sat stoIdly silent. and when the Pre-
mier had finished not murmur OF approval was
heard in the house. where pages Immediately
began 70 distribute printed copies of the speacn
A remarkable scene followed when NJ Rodit-
cher the leader Of the Constitutional Democrats
mounted the rostrum to reject IN behaR OF his
party, the governments reply. With burning
words which fairly made the rsfters ring he
flung down the gauntlet To the governraent. thun-
ders Of applause greeting his outbursts OF de-
shrank back into corner OF the imperial box
as the orator hayed the administration NJ
Roditchefr at one point IN his speech turned
toward the benches occupied By the ministry,
and with arms outstretched menantngiy said:
IL is not the government, but the representa-
tiVes OF the people here assembled who muss
decide what IS best for che ueeifars Of the
country.
laughter al the orators sarcastic denunciations
OF the policy Of the government
NJ. Roditcher said the ma1nbers OF the lower
house had assembled prepared 70 work and for
get the past. but to-day their hopes had been
dashed TO the ground He denied in behalf OF
his party the Prsrniers statement that they
were attempting 70 undermine the first principle
Then the speaker n detail took up the govern
rnent's answer. He dismissed as unsatisfactory
the ministrys promise TO hereafter obey the
law. What law?'' he asked. The same law
which now enables wholesale arrests and execu-
tions"
The promise TO substitute for the Immediate
release OF political prisoners the discretion OF the
local authorities characterized BY NJ Rodtt-
cher travesty upon amnesty which would
simply perpetuats the arbitrary system against
which the nation was crying out. They wanted
liberty not prison and exile.
NJ Roditcher concluded with demand fo<
the retirement OF The bureaucratic cabinet and
the creation OF responsible ministry from the
peoples chosen Representatives. He said:
The government can destroy the country
alone. but IT Is impossible for the government
TO restore IL without the cooperation OF the
people. and we call upon you" turning again
70 the ministerial benches. TO obey the dictates
Of your conscience and give way 70 ministry
in which the nation can have confidence"
As NJ Roditcher ended the members sprang 20
their feet and for three minutes Wildly cheered
him and his speech
NJ Annitin. OF Sarato1. said that the govern
menrs promise of solicitude for the peasants
would not suffice. The peasants had had their
I'LL Of promises. What they demanded and what
they would have vere land and freedom Hs
added:
The government asks Us 70 ernigrate. We Co
not want 10 ennigrant. and viii not do so. We
demand land and will accept no compromise
NJ Ledaitsky OF Poland. complained bitterly
because the Premier had not said word about
the rights OF non- Russians. and NJ Alladin the
peasant party leader. delivered a general de-
nunciation of the ministers because they as
sumed The attitude OF masters and not Of ser
wants OF the lower house. He warned them that
the lower house alone stood between the gov
ernment and a revolution. adding:
But even parliament will be powerless IL II ia
unable TO satisfy the demands OF the people.
The elemental forces. once aroused, VIII sweep
both parliament and the government 10 COM
mon ruin
NJ Kokoshkine. OF Moscow. admitted that am
nesty was the prerogativs OF the Emperor but
said the country had been in state OF civil
war. and II treaty OF peace was to be signed
amnesty go with it. The right Of expro-
priation for the welfare OF the state was LEGAL
axiom IN every civilized country.
NJ schepkin OF Odessa. and NJ viaaver. Of 81
Petersburg. also dwelt upon the Imperative
necessity OF supPlanting the present ministry.
Then NJ Chteheglovito1r. the Minister OF Jus