New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-05-21

EMPEROR Anglers HOUSE.
Refusal to Receive address from
Hands of President.

st. Petersburg. May 2O.-Intense indignation
has been caused among the members Of the
lower house Of parliament by a note from
PeterhOf to President MOuromtseff saying that
Emperor Nicholas would not receive the presi-
dent and deputation appointed to present the
address in reply 70 the speech from the throne.
and that the address must be presented through
the Ministry Of the Court.
The leaders OF the majority in the house
hastily summoned caucus of the Constitutional
Democrats. President Mouromtseff instead Of
sending the address to Baron Fredericks Min
lister OF the Imperial House. Immediately issued
q call for a meeting Of parliament at IL o'clock
tomorrow. at which he will ask for further
instructions.
The caucus was in session all the afternoon
and evening. and at midnight had not been con-
cluded. The members were at first disposed TO
regard the refusal to receive the deputatiOn as
challenge. and an open affront. answerable only
by a counter-declaration OF war. The leaders
realized the danger too precipitate action. and
began the task OF bringing their angry followers
under control Outsiders were not admitted to
the caucus. but through the glass doors Of the
great hall OF the Constitutional Club, where the
session was held, it could be seen that NJ MtAu-
koff. Prince Peter DolgorOulNoff, vice-president
Of the lower house; Prince Lvoff ProfessoI
Kareieff and others were on their feet une anu
again, begging and commanding their auditors
to act deliberately and firmly. and not rum a.
by unreas1ling passion. Calm views seel'''N
ultimately 20 be prevailing, but 1t Is almost ceA
tain that the radical group. accompanied "S
nart az the peasants, will break away tomorrow
o,,1 o,aoov,or 20 force the house into some fiery
declaration against the Emperor and the gov
eminent which will compel an immediate ruDt-
ure.
A constitutional point is involved in the re-
fusaI Of a personal audience by the Emperor
According 20 the parliamentary law the Presi-
dent submits to the consideration OF the En-
2aror the transactions of the lower house, but
q ia not stated whether he does so personally
and a deputation is nowhere authorized
The Associated Press was informed by men,
her of the Ministry that Emperor Nicholas was
willing to receive President MOuromtsefr but
that the action OF the house in appointing del
egation to accompany him was regarded as q
dangerous precedent capable Of being stretched
to include a deputatiOn of any size-eVen the
whole Of the membership of the house. This
minister intimated that if the leaders OF the
house desired to avoid a rupture they could do
SO either by accepting the instructions 70 pre-
sent the address through the Ministry of the
court as a proper matter Of routine. or could,
by keeping within the limits Of the cOnstitu-
tional provision. direct the President Of the
house to apply alone for an audience. It was
pointed out that distinction had been made
between the lower house and the Council OF the
Empire and that the last named body had also
been instructed to present It's address through
the same channel.
President Mouromtseff again went to Peter
hof this evening in order to be presented 70 the
Empress who had no opportunity Of meeting
him at the ceremonies there Saturday. He
did not see the Emperor.