Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-11
BOTH HOUSES OPENED
New Russian Parliament Ready
for Business.
AUDIENCE WITH THE CAR
President of Lower Body to Present
Demands.
ISSUE OVER COUNCIL OF EMPIRE
Optimistic Impressions Followed Yes
terday's Imposing Induction of
the New Regime.
ISSUE OVER COUNCIL OF EMPIRE

ST. PETERSBURG. May IL. 3:35 PM
Prof. Mouromtseff went TO Peterhof this
afternoon TO notify the emperor OF his
election TO the presidency of the lower
house of parliament. 1t is known that he
expects TO speak plainly to. his majesty on
the views of the country. and the consti-
stutional democrats hope that much good
will result from the audience.
Besides demanding amnesty Prof. Mou-
romtseff will present in behalf of the con-
stitutional democrats majority suggestion
that the council OF the empire be made
a purely consultative body, with no right
10 stand between the representatives of the
people and the sovereign.
The new council OF the empire, or up
per house of parliament opened by
Count Solsky, its president, this afternoon
with elaborate ceremonies.
A Striking Change.
The impression left by yesterdays historic
day is on the whole optimistic. Even the
radical papers assume a rather hopeful
tone. The Rech. organ of the constitu-
tional democrats and now the most power
full paper in Russia while not conceaiing
its disappointment at the fact that the ex-
pected amnesty was not granted. on the
other hand expresses Its satisfaction that
the emperor did not use the word "au-
tOcracy.' 1t regards his majesty's speech
as 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"
The constitutional democrats. however.
are in no wise dismayed at the prospect of
having To continue the struggle. 1t is al
ready apparent that they intend to nail the
nag of constitutional monarchy to their
masthead, that their first efforts will be d.
Tected to forcing general political amnesty
from the unwilling hands of the emperor.
The deiiverance of the political prisoners
and those who have suffered for freedoms
cause is now a passion with the masses,
and it is difficult to see how the government
viii be able TO resist.
Optimistic Impressions.
One of the striking changes today is in
the appearance of the Official Messenger.
which for days and weeks had been appear
ing each morning with column after cot
umr of ukases and nominations as the
bureaucracy feverlshly sought to get their
goods in out of the wet With the as
sembling of parliament the end has come.
No: single ukase or nomination was
printed today. The only official announce
ment was a rescript giving Finance Min
lister Nokovsoff credit for negotiating the
Russian loan, and decorating him with the
Alexander Nevsky order.
The central committee of the constitu-
tOnal democrats Is working out a reply
to the speech from the throne The prn-
cjpdl points will be amnesty and equality
CT political and civil rights But a faction
is insisting on demand for the abolition
OF the council of the empire. An attempt
will be made to come to an agreement with
the peasants, who are rawing up an in
dependent reply. Their chief demands are
amnesty. the reorganization of the labor
laws, the reorganization of the army the
Glsbanding OF the Cossa cks, the separation
OF church and state a general extension
Of the schools and equal rights for all ma
tioIalities