The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-25
Decides to Emerge from His
 Long Seclusion
HAS MANY RESTRICTIONS
The New Constitution Is So Worded That the Emperor Can Undo Its Acts With a Stroke of
 the Pen.

St Petersburg April 24-After much hesitation. Emperor Nicholas has finally decided to come to St. Petersburg. greet the representatives of the people and per sonally open the first Russian parliament May 10. His decision comes as sur prise as it was supposed that after his long absence from the capital he would not dare to leave the shelter of the palace at Tsarsko-selq. But Premier Witte and other advisers urged that it would be a great blunder to miss such an opportun- ity.
 mast elaborate programme for the opening of parliament has been prepared. The ceremony will be attended by the pomp and circumstance befitting the event. Imperial hera1ds will pass through the streets. summoning representatives of the people, and an imposing military es- cort will accompany the emperor to the Taurid palace, where parliament will assemble.
 | It is rumored that the emperor, in greet 1 ing parliament, will grant general am- nesty for political prisoners and the aboli- 1 ton of martial law.
 NCW OonSliIutlOn FuDISneu. | The final draft of the "fundamental law" was published today. It consists of seventy articles. and constitutes Russas so-called "eonsttution."
 The main point gained by the people in their fight against the crown is the incorporation in the "fundamental law" of the provisions of the imperial mani- festo of October 20 creating a parliament and thus making it impossible for the | emperor hereafter. without usurpatlon, to withdraw what he has granted. Other wise notifications of the Fundamental law are in the direction of supporting the emperors present powers against the assaults of parliament. He not only re- tains absolute control of the army and navy and foreign relations. with power to declare peace or war, but keeps in his hands the vital prerogatve of de- claring cities districts and provinces un- der martial law. or in state of rein forced security"
 Can Easily Wipe Them Out.
 lnasmuch as any exceptional state of security involves the suspension of civil rights and as normal conditions have not existed in Russia for years, St. Pe- tersburg having been Gin a state of re- inforced> security since 1882, the personal guarantees granted can be wiped out by stroke of the Emperor's pen. very important provision makes no law operative until published by the rul- ing Senate The Senate, purely beureau- cratic institution, therefore becomes the judge of the "constitutionality" of the acts of Parliament. Immunity from ar | rest and domiciliary visits, etc. are l spoiled by many exceptions. The right of freedom of residence. which seems freely granted. is subject to the existing regulations" This of course leaves the laws confined to the pale and the peasants chained to the globe unless Parliament later changes the existing regulations.
 There are restricting regulations against Parliament interfering with the expendi- lures for the court, or other allowances of the imperial family, unless they ex- ceed the amounts included in the budget of 1906 and interpellations of minister's are strictly confined to violations of the law
 A suspicious feature in connection with the Emperor's power to dissolve Par lament and order new elections, is that no provision is made for fixing a time within which the new Parliament must be convened.
 With the existing popular distrusts of the government, every equivocal word is eyed suspiciously.
 The Reich, organ of the constitutional democrats, begs the government not to confirm the articles of the "fundamental law" wb11h offend public opinion.