Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-05-12
Even the Radical Newspapers Are Assuming
a Hopeful Tone,
DRAFTING REPLYTo SPEECH FROM THRoN
COUNCIL OF THE EMPIRE ORGANIZED
Members of Upper House Meet and
Tnke the Oath-Count Whites
appearance ss = Member
Creates Surprise.
SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM PREVALENT


tween the emperor and the national Par
lament was further strengthened today by
the audience granted by Emperor Nicholas
at Peterhof 20 Prof Mouromtseff, the
president OF the lower house. President
Mouromtseff returned to st. Petersburg
from the audience apparently much Inn
pressed by the emperors interest in the
problems Of the country Though the rad
ical hotheads had been praying that Presi-
dent Mouromtseff would lay down the law
to the emperor and make scene, the half
hours conference was skilfully guided both
By the sovereign and the parliamentary
chief so that friction was avoided. To the
constitutional democratic members Of the
House who awaited his return from Peter
hof at the Constitutional club, Prof. Mour-
omtsef spoke only briefly. laying especial
emphasis on the emperor's courtesy and
consideration and his thorough knowledge
OF the sentiment in the Parliament and
society.
Prof. Mouromtseff said political questions
were not gont into as he had regarded 1t
as not fitting that the president of the
representative chamber should present at
an oficial audience the views of any one
group or body
Spirit OF Optimism Prevails.
me impression ltIL py yesterday hAaApAAN
days Is on the whole optimistic. Even the
radical papers assume a rather hopeful
zone. The Rech, organ OF the constitutional
democrats. and now the most powerful
paper in Russia, while not conceallng its
disappointment at the fact that the ex-
pected amnesty was not granted, on the
other hand expressed its satisfaction that
the emperor did not use the word "au-
tocracy." 1t regards his majesty's speech
as an adroit refusal to grant any further
concessions. leaving the new fundamental
law as the platform Of the government,
adding: But the policy Of marking time
while events are marching so rapidly really
means retreat"
-he constitutional democrats, however,
are In nowise dismayed at the prospect OF
having TO continue the struggle. II is al
ready apparent that they intend 10 nail the
flag OF a constitutional monarchy to their
masthead but their first efforts will be
directed to forcing general political am
nesty from the unwilling hands of the em-
peror. ...,.....
People want Prisoners Released.
The deliverance Of the political prisoners
and those who have suffered for fredom's
cause is now a passion with the masses
and il Is dificult TO see how the govern
ment will he able to resist
one OF the striking changes today is the
appearance of the oftieial Messenger which
for days and weeks had been appearing
each morning with column after column
OF ukases and nominations, after the bu-
reaucracy feverishly sought to get their
goods in out OF the wet" With the as
semblng OF Parliament the end has come.
Not a single ukase or nomination was
an fnl CNaCfaI N
nouncement was a rescript giving Finance
Minister Kokovso1 credit for negotistins
tbe Russian lean and decorating him with
the AlexandeI Nevsky order.
PrcparinG Reply to Throne.
The central committee OF the oonstitu-
tlonal democrats are working out a reply
20 the speech from the throne. The prin-
cipal points will be amnesty and equality
OF political and civil rights. But a faction
Is insisting on demand for the abolition
OF the council OF the empire An attempt
win be made to come to an agreement with
the peasants, who are drawing up an in
dependent reply. Their chief demands are
amnesty the reorganization OF the labor
laws, the reorganization OF the army. the
disbanding OF the Cossacls, tho separation
OF church and state. general extension OF
the schools and equal rights for all nation.
Suties
Council OF Empire Opens.
$50 D. m.-The third act in the great
drama of Russian parliamentarism, th'
formal opening OF the recognized eounci
OF the empire, or upper house of the Par
lament. took place at O'Clock this after
noon in the hall OF the mobiles in the Win
ter palace. The pomp and ceremony eharac
teristic Of the old Russian life, the absenc'
OF which at the opening meeting Of th'
popular lower house of Parliament in thu
Tauride palace yesterday, was signthcan
OF the new spirit in Russian affairs, foun,
vent IN the convocation OF the council o.
the empire, which with half the member
elected and half appointed. forms the con
necIing link between the new and the ole
systems. The display OF uniforms an,
orders, vivid ribbons and gold braid. which
was seen at its height during the cere
monial at the Winter palace yesterday
was repeated on a smaller scale In tn
great white hall Of the mobiles today Tn
ministers displayed their full regalia, IN,
members Of the chancellery wore cour
dress and swords. the doors were Euardes
by servants in picturesque livery. and tn
boxes were occupied by diplomats and higl
ofieiais and richly dressed women, an
though a number OF the elective member
were not In uniform, the c9lored sTnocl
aud kaftan Of the peasant and the hlgl
boots and rough coat OF the workman wer
not IN evidence.
The majority Of the elective members in
deed. who came from the landed nobiIIt
and upper ranks OF commerce and industry
WED with the appointives in the number an
richness OF their decorations. Only a sturd
little group OF liberal professors came 4
simplicity. their civil garb not being re
leved by a ribbon or a medal.
While the lower house OF Parliament /
distinctiveiy body OF new men. the name
OF the melhbers OF the council Of the en-
pire can ~ found in the index Of Russia
history OF the past century. including Is
natiefs AieNieffs. Pobeidonostseffs and Dol
goroukoffs Of the old regime. a mass OF re
tired ministers. soldiers and Statesmen q