Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-23
OM|NOUS SIGNS
OF COMING STORM
Are Apparent on Every Hand at
st. Petersburg.
PATROLS ARE REINFORCED
Action of the Gear to Unite Discordant
Elements.
DOUMA LEADERS AT vIBORG
To Present Solid Front to the Ma
tion-Refuse to Recognize the
Dissolution Decres.
Action of the Gear to Unite Discordant
Elements.
DOUMA LEADERS AT VIB0RG

During the night committee OF
seven members of the Russian par
lament at Viborg, Finland, which
was dissolved yesterday at St.
Petersburg, prepared a manifesto
to the country, but up TO 10 o'clock
this morning its contents had been
kept secret.
AT the last moment the constltu-
tional democrats, under the influ-
ence of the threat OF martial law,
swung into line with the radicals,
and the address to the country was
adopted at Viborg with practical
unaninity, only Count Heyden and
M. Stakovich voting in the mega
tive.
The Poles will adopt separate
statement.
The former members of parlia-
ment then adjourned, realizing the
helplessness of refusing to recog-
nize the edict of dissolution in the
face OF the bayonets of the govern
ment.
The dissolution of the Russian douma at
St Petersburg by the imperial ukase brings
Russia face to face with what may prove to
he the most stupendous revolution in his
tory The emperors autocratic act also
rings down the curtain, temporarily at
least. on the latest and one of the most in
teresting attempts IN history to give ma
tion a form Of representative government.
Judged by its positive achievements the
douma will not rank high a law making
assemblage, but as giving voice to a peo-
pies sense OF wrongs it's brief existence has
proved OF momentous Importance. The cir
cumseribed nature of the doumas proceed
ings and the dearth OF legislation that
might be OF benefit to Russia may be at
tributed to two causes The lack OF har-
mony among the strangely diverse elements
that went 10 make UP the body and the
fundamental law by which the emperor linn
tied the matters that might be considered
by the parliament.
The worlds youngest parliament was
opened by the emperor on May 10 Of this
year /, may be said that friction began to
develop almost from the first. Not long
after the opening the emperor refused TO
receive an address from the president of
the d0uma The premier read the emperor S
reply on May ~ and the independent spirit
.,f.. t...f
manifested on that occasion.
The constitutional democrats were strong
ly in the majority at the opening. but when
bitter debates over the agrarian and Jewish
questions developed new groups like the
group OF toll" were formed. and the
overwhelming strength OF the constitutional
democrats began to dwindle. The more
radical elements showed a growing sprt;
OF intolerance and even the moderate and
conciliatory statements OF the emperor g
ministers were often greeted with derision
The emperors advisers urged that the
douma was simply a forum for the promul-
CATION of revolutionary doctrines.
The breach began to widen, and 1t was
apparent that a crisis was inevitable. Il
came when the parliament attempted to
counJeract an appeal TO the peasants from
the crown by an appeal to the country &c
stand by parliament on the question OF the
expropriation of church and state lands
The dissolution OF parliament followed
The douma's only piece of legislation ths
has become a law Is bill appropriatins
N.5oo.ooo for the relief of famine-stricker
peasants.
ST PETERSBURG. July 2S.-saturda!
rnldnights coup d'etat is already having
the effect OF uniting the discordant ele
ments OF the opposition and 1t require.
little perspcscity TO see that era o
repression. and all which Il entails. will
drive liberal and revolutionary alike Z
support the most desperate measures. i
Is already clear that resistance viii b
made.
According 10 the latest advices from vi
borg the members of parliament who fed I,
Finland, intend to defy their sovereign
They are virtually refusing TO recognize
the decree OF dissolution, q three hours
session in the dining room OF the Hote
Belvedere being held last night, unde
the presidency OF NJ Mouromtsen. a
which all the formalities OF regular ses
sion were observed.
Prof Miluikon and other members O
the central committee OF the constitutions
democrats were carefully excluded from
participation. The leaders OF all ths
groups seemed momentarily trying to sinl
their political differences and were ami
mated solely by a determination TO pre-
sent solid front to the nation and gov
srnment In the PRESENT issue. Only abou