The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1906-07-27

st. Petersburg. July 24.--An impe-
rial ukase has been promulgated dis
solving parliament and fixing the time
for the convocation of the newly elect
ed assembly as March 5, 1907
Under Martial Law.
A second ukase places ST. Peters
burg in state of extraordinary Sc
curity by the declaration of a minor
form of martial law.
A large part of the province of Kiev,
where armed uprisings are anticipated
In consequence of the dissolution OF
parliament, Is placed under martial
law
1t Is now but step to dictatorshis.
Premier Goremykin Fired.
Another imperial ukase relieved M.
Goremykin of the premiership and APP
pointed M. Stolypin premier. He also
retains his present post of minister of
the interior
While Nj. Stolypin Is undoubtedly
much stronger man than his predeces-
sor, he probably will be unequal to the
task of plotting the country through
the revolutionary upheaval which Is
just ahead, and the general belief is
that a dictatorship must come soon.
Issue Depends on Army
With the imperial ukase dissolving
parliament the curtain rose upon pos
sibly the last act in the great drama
of the Russian revolution. The peo-
pie and the government now stand
face to face, and upon the army de-
pends the issue.
Even should the government, how
ever, succeed in restraining an out
break of the people, the victory proba-
bly, will only be temporary and simply
confine the steam for the final exolo-
sion
No one doubts the severity of the
storm which will rise in the country
in response to the emperor's dispersal
of the men whom he welcomed two
months ago in the winter palace as
the ablest men in Russia; but the die
Is cast The government has elected
to fight, and the capital yesterday bore
eloquent testimony of the preparations
made to repress the masses by force.
The city was packed with soldiers aud
resembled an armed camp
The work of gathering in revolu-
tionary agitators began Immediately
after the ukase placing ST. Petersburg
In "state of extraordinary security"
was promulgated and hundreds Of ar
rests were made before daylight.
Petty Dictators.
The powers conferred upon M. Won
der Launitz, prefect of police. and NJ.
Zinovieff, governor of the province.
are little short of those of petty die
tators Searches and arrests can be
made without process of law news
papers forced to suspend publication
and persons deported by administra-
tive order without trial. Public and
private meetings are forbidden Those
arrested may, ii 1t is desired, be tried
by military court and summarily exc
cuted. The only real difference be-
tween extraordinary security" and
full martial law is that power is exer
cised by the so-called civil instead OF
military authority.
People Will Rise En- Masse
The news travelled fast In the coun-
try, and the general expectation is
=,
persal of parliament as the final blow
to their hopes, will arise en- masse.
The proletariat organizations have
been preparing for months for just
such provocation to declare war. It
Is impossible to describe the conster-
nation with which the Constitutional
Democrats learned the news. Although
1t had been bruited about for the past
three days. the ukase was received by
them in blank amazement.
Members Not Daunted.
The government undoubtedly calcu-
lated on catching the opposition of its
guard, but If 1t expected to strike ter
rOr to the hearts of the members of
parliament 1t has failed signally.
Some time ago, when dissolution
seemed imminent, the various groups
of the opposition virtually agreed to
follow the example of their French
compatriots of the states general
and meet. If driven out of the Tauride
palace wherever and whenever cir
cumstances dictated until constitu-
ton was firmly established.
Will Meet in Finland.
After a hurried secret conference
It was decided, on account Of the pos
sibility of the meeting being broken
up and the members arrested. that
they go Immediately to Finland and
Clubbed Father to Death.
Trenton, Mo, July 24.-Patrick |
~ AJY,h