Omaha daily bee., 1906-05-16
REPLY TO THE CAR
Commission Submits Draft of the Address to
Throne by Parliament
TEN CONCESSIONS ARE DEMANDED
First of These is for General Amnesty for
Political Offenders,
WOULD ABOLISH COUNCIL OF EMPIRE
Request Also Made for Full Civil Liberty
and Responsible Ministry,
DISCUSSION BEGINS IN THE EVENING
Leaders In Parliament Have More 20
Fear from the Radicals
Than from the Con-
servatives.
'irst of These is for General Amnesty for
Political Offenders,
WOULD ABOLISH COUNCIL OF EMPIRE
Request Also Made for Full Civil Liberty
and Responsible Ministry,
DISCUSSION BEGINS IN THE EVENING

ST. PETERSBURG, May l5.-After an
afternoon spent in discussion of rules of
order. the lower House Of Parliament this
evening began the debate on the address to
the speech from the throne. adiourning at
midnight after speeches by NJ. Roditcheff
and a dozen orators OF lesser calbre.
The discussion which will be resumed
at II o'clock tomorrow showed that the
main attack on the address will be delv-
cred from the left rhe leaders Of paria-
ment have more to fear from the radicals
than from the conservatives. The evening
debate was tame. Even the periods OF N.
Roditcheff, the best orator among the con-
sttutional democrats. explaining and de-
Tending the address, brought only a faint
ripple Of applause. The only scene of real
enthusiasm was due to a reference TO the
absence from the address of a plank on
the subject OF woman's suffrage, which
brought half of the members Of the house
to their feet cheering
other radical members demanded a para
graph asking for the punishment of Off
cials guilty Of excesses in past acts Of re-
preston and a fuller and palmer statement
of the demand for a constitutional order.
Conservative Member Kissed.
Seven conservative members essayed TO
speak. but the house was in no mood to
listen TO them. Prince Volkonsky lead
ing octoberist, refused to continue his
speech and left the rostrum with bitter
fling at denial of the right Of free speech.
Two features OF the session developed
outside the regular debate. The first was
the adoption of rule relative to the pre-
vious question, under which fifty members
may prevent the stoppage OF q debate.
opening the door to successful filibustering
by determined minority of one-tenth OF
the membership Of the house The other
feature was the appearance Of conserva-
tive peasant group among the supporters OF
the government forty-four peasant mem
bers signing a motion for postponement OF
the debate The meaning of the maneuvers
was at first not comprehended by the MEM
bers OF the house. but when In reading the
usteof supporters of the motion the ~nsHne
OF YeroEin government deputy and or
eanizer of the scheme to provide for peas
ant deputies in lodging houses. was reached
a low whistle Of surprise and comprehen-
sion ran around the benches. Count Hey
den and other members of the right sup
ported the notion but it was overwhelm-
ingly defeated.
Reply Makes Ten Demands.
The draft OF the address to the throne In
reply to the emperors speech at the open
ing of Parliament submitted TO the
lower House Of Parliament today by the
commission. II consists principally OF the
following ten demands:
Ffrst-GeneraI amnesty.
stcond-The abolishment Of the death
Third-The suspension of martial law and
all exceptional laws.
Fourth-Full civil liberty.
Flfth-The abolition Of the Council of the
slxth-The revision of the fundamental
seventh--The establishment of the re-
sponsibility OF ministers.
Ninth-Forced appropriation of land.
Tenth-Guarantees Of the rights of trades
unions.
Much Interest In Meeting.
In anticipation of an exciting session
over the reply to the emperor's speech
At the opening of Parliament. every men,
ber of the lower house was in his place
when President Mouromtzef called the
house to order this afternoon.
Before the house convened the cabinet
virtually had decided on amnesty for po-
litical prisoners with the exception OF
those charged with murder, attempted
murder. or robbery.
While partial amnesty might have made
deep impression Thursday. had the en-
peror signalized the occasion of the as
sembling OF Parliament by such an act of
grace, its favorable effect would be
largely destroyed when thus forced from
his hands.
There was a long wrangle at the opening
OF the session over the question of par
hamentary procedure, ETC., no rules TO
govern the house having been adopted.
Text of Reply.
The following is the text of the address
in reply to the speech from the throne:
haa IL
speech addressed to the peoples representa-
tiVes 70 express your determination un-
shakably 10 preserve the institutions
exercise legislative power in conjunction
with their monarch. The Parliament re-
people as a sure pledge OF that consolida-
ton and OF the further development OF or
strictly constitutional basis. The house viii
for It's part, make every effort TO perfect
the principle OF popular representation and
relating 20 such representation basfng H.
In accordance with the unanimously eW
pressed win Of the people. on universal
Your mAjesty's appeal for common work
for the good OF the fatherland finds a lively
echo IN the hearts Of the members OF par
Lament, in the constitution of which. rem
resentatives Of all classes and nationalities
are united In an ardent desire to regener-
ate Russia and create a state OF order on
the basis OF all living in peace with one
another on the hrm pillars of civic fedora
The parliament holds Il to be its dutv
70 point out that the conditions undSr
which the country lives render really fruit
ful Work for the renovation OF the best pow
ers OF the nation impossible. The country
has perceived that the sorest spot on our
national lite Is the ambitions power OF the
oficials who separate the emperor from MS
people and has declared clearly and unan-
lmously that the renovation of public lie
Il only possible on the principles OF free
dom With the spontaneous participation OF
the people In legislative power and in the
control OF Hesitation through the execu-
tive authorities.
Your majesty was pleased In your mani
festo OF October 30 to announce your firn,
resolution 20 build up on these principleE as
the basis for the further advancement ~
Russia and the whole Russian people well
come your message with an impassioned
cry. But the hrst days OF liberty we're
darkened by heavy afiictions laid on the
land hS those who still obstruct the ad-
vance OF the people 10 their emperor and
tample the principles OF the manifesto of
October under foot; By those who cover
(coufin4,sd a, e.o,,d - \