The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-09-14
THE BOMBS DO
QUICKER WORK
ReyOIutiOnaries' Reply To New Rus
sian Policy.
ARE NOT AFRAID OF EXECUTIONS.
Declare the Government Can Kill
Individuals, but 1t Cannot Kill
Ideas - Premier Stolypin's Latest
Progam Is Considered Only Another
Halfway Measure.

St. Petersburg (By Cable).-"We
are not afraid of executions with "a
hours, as bombs act within q sec
onds. The government can kill indi-
viduals, but it cannot kill ideas"
This is the gist of the reply made
by revolutionaries to the program of
governmental reforms announced by
| the premier.
Only sarcastic comments are heard
upon the new policy, which provides
for military court-martials for poll
teal crimes, increased penalties for
revolutionary propaganda, zemstovs
and greater provincial autonomy for
Poland and the Baltic provinces, the
establishment of an income tax, re-
form of the civil police and the re-
moval of useless restrictions upon
Jews.
Opinion generally regards the gov
ernment's program as a weak and
halfway measure, which will not do
the slightest good. The people ask
how the Car hopes to stop agitation
for reformation of the central gov
eminent by granting provincial au-
tonomy which cannot be enforced, as,
owing to strikes, a state of eXtraor-
binary defense has been proclaimed
in nearly every province. Nor Will
the government be able to collect an
income tax when it has been unable
to collect the more simple direct
taxes.
No reason can be seen, either, for
the reform of the civil police when
prisoners can be tried at court-mar-
tials by the military police and con-
demned without witnesses being
heard in their behalf, as the new
program provides.
The establishment of extraordinary
military courts to try political prls-
oners Is regarded as ending the WaV-
ering reign of justice in the empire
Three columns were devoted by
the Official Messenger to printing
list of political crimes committed
since the first of the year. The evl-
dent purpose is to impress upon tho
people. the horror of such deeds.
The Premier's note checked tenn
porarily the steady decline in govern
ment securities, but boom in the
stock market soon subsidized.
The imperial decree authorizing
the institution of field courts-martial
throughout the larger part or tne
empire is regarded with disquietude
in most circles. 1t is practically the
same measure that the Emperor re-
jected during Count Whites admin
istration after the approval OF the
Council of the Empire had been Sc
cured, and while it is realized that
it is justifiable and, indeed, nee
essary measure in dealing with mu-
TIMES, armed uprisings and condi-
lions of terrorism and anarchy,
such as prevail in Poland, the Baltic
provinces and the Caucasus, 1t Is
claimed that arbitrary and unscru-
pulous officials are likely to abuse
the powers conferred upon them. 1t
is pointed out that the ukase eN-
cludes the services of the ordinary
judicial officers of the. army and
navy, and that it covers political
crimes of any nature.
The issuance of the Premier's man
ifesto on the eve of the council at
Peterhof of prominent men of all
factions in administration and court
circles, called for Sunday, when it is
expected a decision will be reached
over the question whether or not the
Premier shall have free hand in the
government of the empire is sig
nificant feature.