The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-27

biy Ministers listen ~ Severe cru.
cism During Debate on the Reply.
Special Cdbis Despatch 10 THH SUN.
81. PErRRsBuH0, May 76-Thc oriais In
Russia's destinies has grown more acute.
the outlook IL dark and no mar can foretell
the ina issue
The Duma to-day granted universal suf-
frage. but refused complete amnesty and
appropriation OF the lands, the two de-
mands on which the people through the
American colonies resisted taxation without
representation in 1778.
The Duma responded at once with a de-
mand for the dismissal of the Ministry
and the appointment of one representative
Of the country. Thus the issue il drawn.
The Crowns address through Premier
Goremykin is specific enough; nevertheless
the impression IL widespread that the
Government has no fixed policy, and many
believe that the Gar will yield much more
under greater pressure.
There is not the slightest doubt that this
pressure will be forthcoming, but the peril
Gus question arises, Will the later conces-
sions suffice to save the throne? In other
words, can a revolution be averted2
THE DAYS ~EvELoPMENTs
When the Duma met this morning the
Ministers we're present for the first time.
Premier Goremykin read the Ministerial
programme, which is the reply to the
Dumas address to the Gear.
The statement declared that the Govern
mem was fully prepared to lend its entire
support TO an elaboration Of the main
points suggested by the Duma, provided
they did not go beyond the limits of legis-
lative initiative assigned to the DumR.
The Council of Ministers, the Premier said,
must exercise special caution in regard
to questions raised by the Duma of
Immediately satisfying the needs of the
rural population and placing the peasants
on an equal footing with other classes; OF
satisfying the requirements Of the work
people; of framing a measure for obligatory
elementary education; of making the
weather. classes liable for the payment
of taxes and of ~reorganizing the provincial
administration and introducing a system
of self-government with special considera-
ton for the peculiar conditions in the
frontier provinces.
The Council, the Premier said, attaches
no less importance to the suggested law Of
liberty Of the subject. of conscience and
of the press and the freedom of meeting
and association, but it considers it necessary
when preparing such avs to provide the
administration with such effective means
as will enable the Government to prevent
and counteract any abuse of the liberties
With reference to the solution OF the I
agrarian question with the help of Crown
a%ppanages and monastery and church
lands, and by the foroible appropriation
Of private lands and property. which In.
cludes the private property of the PEASANTS
the Council, the Premier declared, holds
1t to be it's duty to declare such a mode of
settlement absolutely inadmissible. The
Government cannot deprive one party Of
its possessions In order to bestow them
on another.
To contest the right Of the private pos-s
session Of land would in fact be to contest
the right to possess any private property
at all throughout the world, and in all grades
Of the development of civil life the ~inviola-
bility of property constitutes the corner
stone of the welfare Of the people and the
fundamental basis of the life of the State. b
The resources still at the disposal Of the
state and the wide application of legal
will doubtless help to find a sue
cessful solution Of the agrarian question
undermining the strength Of the
Z.
In regard to amnesty Premier Goremykin
declared that the ~pardoning of persons
Of whatever form Of crime they
nay have committed was the ]prerogative
Of the monarch. The Council considered
hat it would not be beneficial to grant
to persons implicated in murders
md acts of violence. The Cabinet had
aiken steps to procure the release Of those
~ whom the public safety was not threat
med.
Dealing with the Cabinets intentions
n the legislative field. Premier Goremykin
that the welfare Of Russia was
inattainable 40 long as the prosperity
# agriculture was not assured. The
therefore, recognized the necessity
II devoting special pains and care to the
iettlement of the peasant question. The
migration and settlement of the peasantry
IN fresh lands is one Of the chief cares Of
he Council.
The Government recognizes that the
aising of the intellectual and moral level
the masses is a necessity which cannot
,e postponed and is preparing proposals.
this end, which will he embodied in a
ill for the establishment Of universal
Elementary education. The Government,
will lay before the Esuse a bin