Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-29
And Pessiimism Over Rus
sia's Future Increases.
Emperor Refuses to Yield, Still
Hoping for Compromise.
Ramofs Of Impending Change ia the Mia
lstT Are Current Everywhere.

-. Petersburg, May 2S-Rumors of a
shift in the ministry are everywhere
current tonight. 1t is persstently re-
ported here and at Moscow that Former
Finance Minister Shipofr has received
an urgent summons To Peterhof to con-
fer with Emperor Nicholas, presumably
with regard 10 the formation of a new
cabinet. although he has frequently ex-
pressed his unwillingnesS To take over
the premiership. despatch from
Moscow TO The Associated Press reports
that VI. Shipoff left that city late today
for st. Petersburg, but that il was i'm
possible 10 ascertain whether his COM
ing is or is not in response to imperial
command. 1t is possible thai NJ Ship
offs only errand is to attend the ses-
SION of the Council of the Empire to-
morrow, but the situation is SO plain
ly impossible that shift is not at all
improbable. IL Is also rumored that
Prince trusoif has been summoned to
an audience of the Emperor.
In the meanwhile the present minis
try. among whom there is no Daniel
to read the handwriting on the wall in
The attitude of the Lower House of Par
Lament, is calmly gong ahead with its
agrarLan program, which il hopes to
submit TO the Lower House within IL
fortnight, ana contrary to expectation
to provide for the distribution Of mill
lions of acres of crown lands in Euro
pean Russia. All this seems to be la
Dor lost, as in the present temper OF
Parliament, which has taken the bit in
its teeth, no proposition from the gov
criineIt, however liberal, as was shown
by its reception today of the speech of
Minister of JuStic" ChtcheglOvitoff. is
apt to receive the slightest considera-
ton
The governments policy, which The
Associated Press is authorized to. an
nounce. IS founded on the expectation
that enough land can be obtained by
the division of the crown lands, the
clearing of the imperial forests and the.
voluntary sales OF private estates to
meet The land hunger of the peasants
without the necessity of forced expro-
Iriatinn. Outlining these plans. Minis
ter Of Agriculture Stichinsky said this
evening that the government already
had at its disposal 25,000O 900 acres.
Without doubt thousands of land own
erS viii be only too anxious to dispose
of their holdings ut reasonable prices.
These lands will he sold to peasants
on tim" through the Peasants Bank,
the payments not commencing for sew
rruI years.
At the evening session the House de-
ciGcd to suspend sittings Wednesday
ard Saturday in order to facilitate
Copmittcc work.
Tine President read bin. supported
by III members, for general reform OF
tn, exceptional laws on the basis that
all citizens of both sexes. without dis
tinCtion as to nationality or religion.
are equal in the eyes Of the law. The
deputies loudly checrrd the reading Of
the bill.
II was determined 10 intrrpcllate the
minister If the interior regarding the
famine, asking if the government in
tend ID to continue to combat the dis
t",S; ana if it was aware that local
administrations were thwarting the ac-
tivitv of private persons DESTROYS of
helping the stricken population.
Tho ngrarian question then came m
Several members protested against n
motion To suspend debate. urging the
H'iI'l t'lil'f vi tne nldlttT. AIttr various
proposals. including one that a COM
mittcc Of s. members of the House be
appointed to consider the subject tho
House adjourned TIL II O'Clock tomor-
TO" morning, when debate on the
aBrarian question VIII be- renewed
With regard to the resolution of lack
q confidence NJ Stichinsky said the
cabinet was standing on constitutional
ground when it considered that the
House, III adopting such resolution.
rad gone beyond its prerogative and
that tie resolution therefore was not
OF the slightest binding force. The cab
met would take no notice of the vote.
a rude awakening from the minis
t"rs dream of possession Is possible.
An omen of the change Of times is Civ
en- In the acquittal Of Prof. Paul NJ. MIL
CONTINUED on Page Three)