The Washington times., 1906-01-07
IMPERIAL DOUhA
MAY CALM RUSSIA
VIII Be Called on AnniVer-
sary of Emancipation.
CONDITIONS ARE BETTER
RevolutiOnists Would Postpone Action
Against Government Until
Spring.
CONDITIONS ARE BETTER

ST. PETERSBURG. Jan. The state
ment was made last night that the new
imperial douma will be summoned on
March g, the anniversary of the freeing
of the serfs of Russia. On this douma
the reaCtionaries and the bureaucrats
are now basing all their hopes. II there
is anything that VIII pacify the people
and put an end TO the present unhappy
revolutionary movement il viii be the
calling OF a national assembly If a
date for summoning the douma has
really been agreed 10, and the announce
ment OF this fact is made. it may have
ii good effect In bringing some order out
of the existing chaos.
The civil war has come to an end in
most of the cities but the peasant up
Iisinss and the war III the Baltic prov
inces are stnl causes for a great deal
OF uneasines IS on the part OF the govern
ment authorities The situation on the
railways is also far from satisfactory
There is hardly a line which is working
well. and several OF the .oads are in
the hands OF strikers and no travel is
permitted except under the express or
ders OF the strikers committee.
Gradually. however, the troops are
gaining the upper hand in nearly all
the disturbed districts. The outbreaks
have been so general however, and eX-
tend over such a great area that II will
be impossible to bring about anything
like the usual order within at least two
months. The greatest danger exists
that before that time expires there viii
be fresh disturbances in the cities which
will give fresh induccment to the revO-
lutionists in the provinces to renew the
struggle for the rights of free men.
Can Solve Problem.
The douma. however. can solve the
problem If it is capable of solution. The
representatives of the people may be
able 10 wrest sufficient recognition OF
their rights to satisfy the people gen
orally. II is understood. as well, that
Premier Witte viii resign once the
douma meets. and if he Goes so this
will give an opportunity for the douma
20 put into operation new system OF
government. SO far as many points are
concerned.
There is danger, however, that the in
fiuence Of the reactionaries, who are
elated because of the crushing of the
revolution. viii be strong enough 10 lead
the Gear to adopt repressive measures
which may drive the people into making
some demonstration.
An example Of the reactiOnary infiu-
ence is shown in the congress OF dele
gates from the BLACK Hundred organ
izatjons of $50 cities, which has been in
session here. The black hundred gangs
are made up of the lowest elements of
the various cities, who took an active
part in the recent Hebrew massacres,
acting under the direct instructions of
reactionaries at St. Petersburg.
Demands of "BIack Hundred"
Their congress adopted a resolution
calling on the Czar TO restore absolutism
in Russia IN its old form. AnciheT resO-
luton even more significant calls on the
monarch to suppress the revolution by
the massacre on an appointed day OF all
the reVolutionists, Poles. ATmenians, He
brew and other elements Of disorder.
The congress has also directed a cir
cular TO all the local black hundred or
ganiza tions, notifying them TO be ready
10 inaugurate a massacre of all sympa-
thizers with the progressive movement.
The circular concludes with the words.
Millions must die TO save Russia, but
the sacrifice is for the benefit OF the
ratheTland. The Government Ia the pur-
suit OF its policy of repression, has for
bidden all meetings until the douma is
summoned. This may result in serious
trouble. as the right of holding meet
.ngs was guaranteed by the manifesto
of October 30. The prefcct of police
has now seen fit. however. to suspend
the operation of that section of the man
ifesto, and the people are almost certain
TO resent this action.
Favor ater Arfiou