Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-07-12
BANKRUPT NATION
Russia's Finance Minister Admits
That the Country Is Living Far
Beyond Its Means.
BONDS FOR FAMINE RELIEF
The Condition of the Treasury Much
Worse Than Believed-The Year"
Budget Gives No Idea OF
Real State Of Affairs.

St. Petersburg, July THE debate
on the Bialystok report was adjourned
until Monday to permit the consider
alton of the ministry's bill appropri-
ating $25,OOO,OOO for famine relief,
which developed the sensation OF the
day, showing that the constitutional
democrats have finally found q lever
by which they hope to force the gov
eminent to surrender control OF the
purse strings, the vital object with
which they have been aiming from
the beginning. Prof. Hertzenstein'
chairman of the committee which re-
ported the bill, revealed the important
fact that M. Kokovsoh, the finance
minister, who appeared before the
committee, made no effort to conceal
the desperate financial straits OF the
government He informed the COM
mittee that the condition Of the treas
ury was much worse than believed
and even impeached the figures given
in this years budget, made by M. SHIP
off, as conveying no adequate idea OF
the real state of affairs. He said the
government was living far beyond us
means and agreed that 1t must re-
trench, but, he explained, this could
not be accomplished this year. There-
fore It was necessary to make fresn
loan to cover the famine relief.
Professor Hertzenstein said this was
exactly where the committee TOOK Is
sue with the ministry. Parliament ne
added. was in favor Of famine relief
measure and would give more money
If necessary. But 1t would never agree
to new loan, for which in reality
there was no necessity. The budget
was filled with extravagant items and
money could be found by revising the
budget. This method, the committee
proposed, should be coupled with the
provision that the right to make suc1
revision belonged to parliament ane
not to the ministry. M, Kokovson
who was present, replied to Professor
Hertzenstein. The minister denied
that he had proposed a fresh loan
He had said only that, beyond the W.
500 900 which it was proposed to ap
propriate Immediately, the treasury
had no funds available and that TN
sum must be taken temporarily iron
money assigned in the budget 10
other purposes. New sources OF rev
enue to meet the full famine appropri
atoms must be found, but 1t was no
in the province Of parliament to speci
fy the means by which the none
should be raised. That duty fell t
the government finance committee
When M. Kokovsoff left the tribun
the members Of the left followed hir
with cries of "resign." Ego to sakha
lien," ETC., but the center did not 1oll
in the demonstrations.
M. Rodetcheff and other member
of the committee insisted that tn
budget must be scaled. The real caus
of the financial straits Of the govern
ment, M. Rodetcheff said, was Its pei
sistence in its present political policy
Unless the government did somethin
IN stay the course Of the revolution l
the country, the state and natpl
would be bankrupted. The weakness
of the states credit was due to the n
fusal of the government to heed tn
voice Of the nation, as evidence
which was the fact that prices on II
bourse rose upon every rumor tni
! the ministry intended to resign. II
! greatest service the ministry coul
now render the country and poop
would be to give way to a responsib
3 cabinet representing the views OF u
; majority in parliament