Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-05-11
THE RUSSIAN ASSEMBLY.

The national assembly Of Russia has
heen opened with impressive ceremo-
MES and with every token OF festive
JOY on the part Of the people The
presence OF an abundance OF soldiers
and police IN every larger street and
in the approaches TO the Winter pal
ace however. was well calculated 10
impress the delegates with the fact
that their role Is as yet only OF sec
ondary Importance, as viewed from
the throne.
Interest centers IN the imperial ad-
dress opening the congress, The dis,
patches state that It was "conciliato-
ry" II expresses the wish OF the Car
that relief be given TO the farmers, and
SO far It must be satisfactory. The
Emperor also hopes that the parlia-
inent will corporate with him In solv-
Ing the present problems OF Russia
and IN handing down united and
prosperous empire to his successor"
That has a rather strange ring for
throne speech.
The Car has evidently not yet ad-
yanced very far IN democracy. 1t Is
TO be feared that he. like his famous
predecessor, Ivan the Terrible, sees In
this assembly only convenient IN
strument with which to bolster up his
own power. The representatives Of
the people are only expected to "co-
operate with him IN solving the pres
ent problems, And the aim In view
Is the power and glory OF his success.
sor. The Queen Regent OF Spain COM
mltted the blupder OF holding on 10
Cuba to the last, so as TO be able 10
hand an undivided Spain to her preci-
Gus boy. 10 matter how many boys
of other mothers were sacrificed. and
the Car seems to have very nearly
similar views. 70 him his successor
looms up as Of far more Importance
than the millions OF Russia. who are
suffering under the present conditions.
The welfare Of the people is not the
| first consideration IN the Imperial mes
sage az quoted, but the fate of the
successor. When Democratic prin-
ciples are better understood in Russia.
we will hear something about the needs
and rights Of the common people.
II was the custom of Russian rulers
IN ancient times. 10 cali representative
assemblies whenever che state was
menaced with dangers from within or
without with which the autocrats were
unable to cope singlehanded. Hut when
the same autocrats felt that they were
strong enough 10 pilot the ship alone.
the people were not consulted. For
nearly two hundred years no Russian
parliament has been called The dues-
ton now Is whether the present car
will merely endeavor to strengthen his
own weakened power by the aid Of the
assembled delegates. But whatever
may be the intention Of the ruler, the
converting Of this assembly Is the be-
ginning of new era for Russia.
The makeup Of the Douma is itself
a signal victory for the people. The
efforts ~ the government agen,s 10 I'm.
timidate the voters have been atrocl-
aus. II rs asserted that eighty thous.
and persons have been arrested and
Imprisoned and an additional 10000
have been excited 10 remote parts OF
siberia, for exercising their rights OF
citizenship and working for Consttu-
tlonal Democratic candidates. In l0j
out Of about i6i constituencies all pub
lie meetings and an election cam
paignlng on behalf OF the Constitution
al Democratic candidates Shave been
rigidly prohibited The publication or
more than 100 newspapers has been
suspended Tor the duration Of the cleo
tionstor the offense Of supporting Con-
tntutlonal Democratic candidates.
More than one million copies Of cleo
ton manifestos have been connscated
and destroyed by the police Al this,
1t must boz remembered, Ia spite OF the
Cars decree introducing freedom OF
speech and liberal rights 81 citizen
ship. And yet, the Donna is over
wheImiugy Constitutional Democratic.
That proves the determination OF the
people.