Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1906-05-29
BILL
is INTRODUCED
Would Place All Russians of
Both Sexes Regardless Of Re-
IigiOn on Equal Footing.
SUPPORTS DOUMA

ST. PETERSBURG, May 29.-At
stirring session of the douma the presi-
dent read bill, supported by Ill
members, for the general reform of the
exceptional laws on the basis that all
citizens of both sexes, without distinc-
tlon as to nationality or religion, are
equal in the eyes of the law The depu-
ties loudly cheered the reading of the
bill.
1t was determined to interpellate the
minister of the interior regarding the
famine, asking if the government in
tended to continue to combat the dis
tress and if it was aware that local ad-
minlstrations We're thwarting the ac-
tivity of private persons desirous of
helping the stricken population.
The agrarian question then came up.
Several members protested against n
motion to suspend debate, urging the
Importance of the matter After varl-
GUS proposals, including one that
committee of eighty eight members of
the house be appointed to consider the
subject, the house adjourned.
There was much excitement in the
corridors before the house met. An
officer identified as colonel on the
general staff created a stir by openly
declaring in the presence of score of |
peasant members that the time had |
come when the army should support |
parliament, which represented the will |
of the people. and not the emperor.
Reports of shift in the ministry are
everywhere current 1t is said here |
and at Moscow that former Finance |
Minister Shipoff has received an ur-
gent summons to Peterhof to confer |
with Emperor Nicholas with regard to
the formation of a new cabinet, al
though he has frequently expressed !
his unwillingness to take over the pre-
miership. NJ Shipoff has left Moscow
for St. Petersburg, and it is possible
that NJ. Shipoff's only errand is to at
tend the session of the council of the
empire today, but the present situation
is so plainly impossible that a shift is
not at all improbable. 1t is also ru-
mored that Prince Urusoff has been |
summoned to an audience of the en- |
peror.
The land programme of the douma.
it is said, in addition to the colonial
tion of Siberia and central Asia, con-
templates the improvement of the agri- I
cultural methods of the peasantry,
which are primitive and unproductive
in the extreme, and for bringing the
peasants, whose gregari6usness leads
to their gathering in villages and even
towns Of population as high as 80,
600, nearer TO their lands.
The Viborg infantry regiment has
been summoned to st. Pc
tersburg. The officers say the regl-
ment will be quartered in barracks
near the Tauride palace and add that
they expect to be used against the dou-
ma.
Several official notes have been is
sued denying that the government in
tends to resort to force, but at the
same time there is no evidence that the
emperor is ready to yield to the de-
mand for the supersession of the pres
ent ministry with one from the major
ity in the lower house of parliament.
The result is virtual deadlock, the
of which can only serve
to diminish the chances of n peaceful
settlement.
Count Witte and his wife have gone
abroad. After visit to their daughter
at Brussels they intend to take the
baths in Germany. The count spoke
in an exceedingly pessimistic vein to
friends before he left St. Petersburg.