Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-27

1t is Evidently Based on That of
Japan.
)oUMA LEADERS DISSATISFIED
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

Herald.
On the 10th day of May the Czar Of
Russia offered his subjects n constitution,
or as 1t is called over there. a s.f,nda,,o,-
TAI law More than twenty years ago his
grandfather, Alexander II, took the n,a-
Hihinary steps to do the same. and nre-
pared decree establishing a ,onauItive
"s'ehhpty 20 assist him in making the laws
OF the empire. That document was fo,rd
op0ii MS oesk IN the winter palace all ready
for his signature after his assassination
Inc bomb that killed him put Russia becL
twenty years. But the present constttu-
ton is much more liberal than the nrotaot
ne mad prepared. although It is not liberal
enough to suit all the people. That how-
ever Is not to be wondered at Human
genius could not contrive a scheme that
would give universal satisfaction There
are factions which would not be satisfied
with anything, but this concession is a
long step in advance and it gives as ml1ch
asti e.n ~ -~soVerhment as the people of Russia
are capable OF exercising. They have had
no experience; the masses are densely ignn.
rant; only one out of four can read or
write; over 20 per cent of the population
are absolutely iliterate. Hence II is oh
viously for their own interest as well as
Tor the interest of the public at large that
tney are not given a larger control of
affairs. Yet the leaders Of the douma. alb
sofned IN their own vanity, have prepared
a program which includes universal suf-
frage, irrespective of sex
copy of the constitution reached WASH
ington few days ago ard has been kindly
loaned me by Baron Rosen. the Russian
ambassador. II is full of the greatest sig
nihcance- II marks an epoch in Russian
history. While the czar asserts his powers
and privileges and upholds the autocracy
OF ms dynasty In the most positive man
ner. he offers to share the law-makiuR
power with his subjects through their
m tttrnc II4
Lament, consisting of two branches. the
imperial council and the imperial douma
Ihe word douma means literally think
ers," although from the newspaper reports
one would judge that many of its members
were scarcely entitled to such a designa-
ton. Nevertheless, they are doubtless
equal in intelligence and integrity to the
members of other parliaments, and there
is plenty of time for them TO learn wisdom.
The New Parliament.
The Imperial council is not a new idea. 1t
is ancient organization. established by
Alexander / in the year 1901 and reorgan-
lied in 1901 by the present czar. Until re-
Gently it consisted exclusively of persons
appointed by the emperor, but article 5S
of the constitution provides for an
equal number of members to be elected by
the people, who have equal rights equal
power and authority. The members are
chosen from and by the clergy, the nobility,
the faculties of the universities, the learned
societies, the zenstvos or provincial legis-
latures, professional organizations and in
dustrIal and commercial associations. The
douma consists of about five hundred dele
gates elected by the property owners under
a limited suffrage similar to that of Great
Britain and Prussia for term of five years,
the emperor may dissolve the body
at any time and call a new election.
Both houses may interpolate the minis
ters of the imperial cabinet and call upon
hem for explanations at any time, but
lf hEF has n fGTfn Dt1tC tar
lr fix his responsibility. That is the most
serious point of difference between the
iouma and the crown. A large majority of
he members insist upon making the min
stry responsible to that body. They want
what is called "a parliamentary govern
nent" The same issue has been Vexlng
Japan for many years. The ministry OF
he Japanese empire are not responsible to
as they are in England and
'ther limited monarchies and the first prop
,sition in the program of the constitutional
democrats who have majority in the
iouma, is responsibility of the ministers
md officials of the empire to the parlia-
nent and the courts
Cars Autocracy Asserted.
There are eighty-two articles in the new .
constitution and they are divided into five
chapters. The first chapter asserts the au-
.ocracy of the czar and declares the Rus
sian tongue to be the official language OF
the empire. The use of other languages
md local dialects may, however, be granted
,y special laws
The emperor reserves for hims elf the right
o initiate all changes in the constitution.
section 8 says: THE fundamental law of
he empire cannot be submitted for revision
o the council of the empire or the douma
# the empire except solely on his initia-
i've.
Sec O. His majesty, the emperor sane
ions the law, and without his confirmation
10 law can be enforced.
Sec. 10. The administrative power belongs
n its broadest sense to his majesty, the en-
eror
Section IL gives him absolute control over
he international policy of the government
nd all relations with foreign nations.
Section 13 gives the emperor sole author
~ to declare war and conclude peace. and
ection IA gives him supreme control of
he army and navy. Section 16 gives him
he right to coin money. Section IL gives
i'm the authority to appoint all ministers
nd officials of the government and to re-
aove them at will. Section 20 gives him
he control of ali the crown property and
ection 21 makes him the arbiter OF the inn
erial family. Section % gives him the
over to pardon criminals and grant am
esty. Sections "A and 20 re-enact the olo
aw of succession, while section 20 pro-
ides that he shall proclaim the laws en-
cted by the douma and the imperial coun-
II through the ruling senate. an ancient
ody with both legislative and judicial
overs, the supreme court of justice and
ne authority of last resort under the em-
eror. The senate has no final power. but
authorized TO review the legislation of
he parliament and advise the emperor
Thether he shall approve it or not.
Rights of the Subjects.
The second chapter of the constitution de-
mes the rights and duties of the subjects
{ the Russian empire and is singular
imble of contradictions. It allows every
Continued on Third Page.)