Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-20
LOWER HOUSE DIVIDED
Factions in the New Russian
~. Parliament.
CONSERVATIVES SUSPECTED
Deemed Too Moderate by the
Extremists.
NEW PARTY MAY BE FORMED
Mouromtseff the Guest of Honor on
Yesterdays Visit to Peterhof
Politics Avoided.
NEW PARTY MAY BE FORMED

ST. PETERSBURG, May 19.-The week
closes with suspense over what the next
few days win bring forth, but it already is
certain that Emperor Nicholas and the gov
ernment do not regard the address of the
lower house in reply to the speech from the
throne as an ultimatum beyond the de
mand for amnesty. which the emperor will
seek to satisfy. Partial pardon for political
offenders and the other demands of the ad-
dress will be considered declarations of
opinion upon which the emperor is not
called to pass until they find expression by
legislative enactment
The trip of President Mouromtsef of the
lower house to Peterhof today, as had been
anticipated was productive of no changes
In the situation. Though the leader of the
house received the utmost consideration and
was singled out by the emperor for special
attentions the subject Of the address was
by tacit understanding. avoided. Members
of the cabinet who attended the gala lunch
con, though greeting NJ. Mouromtseff with
the fullest cordiality. also refrained from
referring to politics.
Mouromtseff Guest Of Honor.
As far the rules of precedence permit
ted, NJ. Mouromtseff was the guest Of
honor. On the arrival of the special train
with the members of the cabinet, NJ. Mour-
emtsef was seated in the first carriage;
he was ushered to a front place during
the TIE Deum in the chapel and at the
luncheon was seated between Minister OF
War Fudiger and Minister of Finance ko-
kovsoff and near the emperor who ad-
iii essed much of his conversation to him
The date of President Mouromtseff's s au-
dience of the emperor to present the ad-
dress has not been determined In case he
IS not summoned to Peterhof Monday par
lament will meet that day. but though the
radicals are rampant in spirit their lead
ers are determined to hold the house In
leash and not permit outbreaks until Pre-
rn1er Goremkin has delivered a general
statement of the governments policy,
which was under consideration during q
ten-hour conference between the emperor
and the premier on Friday
Division in the House.
The moderation of the constitutional DEM
ocratic leaders has already brought them
under the ban of the extremists Several
social democrats and social revolutionary
organizations have solemnly arraigned the
party for betraying the cause of freedom
by not insisting on direct secret and equal
suffrage in the address in reply to the
speech from the throne. The radicals of
the house are expected to break away and
form separate party groups. The chiefs of
the majority, however. will not shed tears
over their departure their nominal MEM
1ership to the party. owing to their intem-
perance and fanaticism. is an embarrass-
ment rather than help.
The government certainly does not In
tend to yield to the demands of parliament
but the desire to avoid conflict is becom-
Ing increasingly evident 1t seems that
the policy of the government while conced-
Ing the minimum demands, is to comDel
parliament by pacific assurances to assume
responsibility Tor a fresh hostile initiative