The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-03
BELIEVES CRISIS
 NEAR IN RUSSIA PetrunEeVitch Says Responsible
 Ministry is Essential MAY BE TOD LATE EVEN NOW Lower Houses Passes Bill In Eight Minutes Abolshng the Death Pen
 alty-Goremykin confers
 With Nicholas.
MAY BE TOO LATE EVEN NOW

St. Petersburg, July 2.-Ivan Petrunke- movement, who has been prevented by i'll health from taking prominent part in the delegates in the lower house of parla- ment but who notwithstanding is factor of the greatest weight in the councils of the constitutional democratic party in an interview granted to the Associated Press today expressed his conviction that the downfall of the present cabinet had been decided and ministerial crisis Is at hand. Emperor Nicholas, M. Petrunkevitch said, might and probably would attempt to stave off the inevitable, and endeavor to form another but more liberal bureau cratic ministry but its helplessness to face the situation of hostile attitude of the parliament was so apparent that it's existence would be brief If Finance Min ister Mokovsoff or any one else were rash enough to attempt it's formation.
 Ministry Must Be Responsible.
 M. Patrunkevitch professed ignorance of any direct negotiations between the Emperor and the constitutional democrats, but spoke with such positiveness that it was evident his expectation was based on more definite grounds than the general situation: and 1t Is apparent that he and his friends are fully in touch with the developments at Peterhoff and desire to enlist constitutional democratic support for the new ministry. M. Ptrunkevitch declared roundly that no ministry except fully responsible one selected by parlia- ment, or persons in accord with that body. would be acceptable. Any other ministry would meet with the same treat ment as the existing cabinet and the con stitutional democrats would refuse to be a party to it. aHiif aeplles not only to ministry under the leadership of M Kokovsoff, but also to one containing such "liberalzed bureauchats' as M. Fermolofr or M. Timiriaseff and even M. Shipoff would be personally unacceptable
 But would the constitutinoal demo- cratic ministry save the situation and stem the rising tide of revolution, and anarchy?' was asked
 That Is impossible to say" replied M Petrunkevitch.
 Such a ministry would do It's best, but all would depend on the time when 1t was called to power. What Is possible today may be impossible tomorrow. If a con stitutional democratic ministry had been formed month ago, it would have had much greater chances of success than now, and a fortnight hence may be entire 1y too late. The revolutionary preparations in the country, and especial ythe mutin- ous spirit of the army, would be as dan gerous to a constitutional democratic cab inet as to the present regime, because it is directed against all government"
 Who will be entrusted with the forma- ton of such a ministry and given places in it?'' asked the interviewer.
 Determined By Party Caucus.
 "I am not at liberty to discuss it as 1t Is a party aAar, and must be deter mined by party caucus" M. Pentruke- witch answered.
 The Emperor probably will summon M. Mouromtseff as the official representa- tive of Parliament and the only prominent member with whom he is acquainted; but doubt that if M. Mouromtseff will ven- ture to take the slightest step except to refer the Emperors proposals to the rep resentatives of the dominant party, who will decide as to the composition of the ministry
 The result of Premier Goremykin's trip to Peterhoff today has not transpred owing to his late return, but it Is under stood that no definite decision was reached as to his successor or the composition of the new cabinet
 The passage by the lower house of Par liament today on its three readings of the bill abolishing the death penalty, the final vote on the measure occupying only eight minutes, offers the first testimony of the attitude of the centrists in the council of the empire The bill will come llp before that body at Thursdays session.