Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-19

investigation of the massacre at Bialystok
by committee from the duma as II 1t
were none of their business how many Jews
and other innocent people were murdered
in cold blood by his officials and police.
2. Have been making comments upon
the imperfections Of the fundamental laws,
which can only be modified by our imperial
will" Which refers to the demands for
parliamentary ministry, which cannot be a
very great crime because his majesty twice
offered to grant one, and his offers were
rejected by the duma.
8. I'm short, the representatives Of the
nation have undertaken really illegal acts,
such as the appeal to the nation by the
duma. The peasants, disturbed by such
grafton of their lot. have resorted in a num-
Der of districts to open pillage and the de-
struction Of other peoples property, and to
disobedience to the law and legal authori-
ties"
His majesty refers to an address to the
peasants adopted by the duma after q de-
bate which lasted until 2:30 in the night
before the cabinet were assembled to APP
prove the dissolution edict. This address
was entirely unnecessary and was opposed
by majority Of the members of the duma-
More than half Of them refused to vote.
out Of a total Of 46O members-and fifty
three votes in the negative. and a motion to
transmit copy of the document to the
minister OF the interior for publication was
defeated.
Silly But Well-Meaut.
It was altogether a very silly proceeding.
but was prompted by the best Of Intentions.
It was a tub thrown to the whale. The
peasants are becoming very restless. They
have been sending emissaries and deputa-
tons from all the corners of the empire TO
inquire when they are going to get the land
that now belongs to the czar, the govern
ment, me monasteries and the rich land
lords who do not use 1t. The delay ana IN
action of the duma have made them very
impatient. To moliify them. to give tnem
something tangible in the way of encour-
agement, the committee having Jurisolc-
ton of that subject introduced resolution
declaring that the duma would not accept
the program submitted by the government
some days ago. but would very soon adopt
a measure OF Its own authorizing the ex-
preparation Of private estates as Tar as
necessary. In the meantime the durna ap-
pealed to the peasants to remain calm ana
patient until its scheme could be carrieo
out.
1t would have been great deal wiser Tor
the leaders Of the constitutional democrats
to have brought In and adopted Their Dill,
which Is now being prepared by Professor
Herzenstein. A few days delay would have
made very little difference And az ieast
half the party gave that advice. Not less
than one hundred and twenty-four OF Its
members refused to indorse such empty
ciaiists and Poles also refused to do It. The
only cordial support the proposition re-
ceived came from the peasants themselves
and few Of the leaders Of the constitu-
tiopal democratic party; and when the
duma refused to vote an order sending
copy to the Official Gazette for publication
1t placed itself in the humihating position
Of adopting q measure which 1t was
ashamed to publish.
That gave the reactionary advisers OF the
car the most powerful argument they
have ever had and they used it effectively.
They convinced him that this address to
the peasants. rejecting the program OF the
government md pledging compulsory ex-
preparation OF the private lands in defiance
of his manifesto, was an act OF high trea-
son 80 grave that q majority OF the duma
refused to participate Ia It: and. while hts