Omaha daily bee., 1906-05-15
Gar Must Oonoede Amnesty to Political
Prisoners or Accept Battle,
POPULAR TIDE IS RISING HIGH
Demand for Immediate Action Comes from
All Parts of Empire.
STRONG PRESSURE ON PARLIAMENT 7
Moderates Succeed in Controlling Radicals
for the Present.
COUNCIL MAY ALSO TAKE A HAND
strong Sentiment in Upper House
in Favor of Releasing Political
Offenders Not Guilty
of Crime.

ST. PETERSBURG, May IA .
over the question Of granting amnesty = 4
ready confronts the emperor, who will = :
compelled to yield or have to accept
gage Of battle, Almost every family
Russia contains a member relative VIII :
has suffered or is now suffering for his
political opinions and their demand for the
release Of all political offenders has Aired
the imagine ticn of the country. The radi-
calls in the lower house of Parliament in
sst that a demand for amnesty should be
presented to the emperor as an ultimatum.
This the moderate leaders of the constitu-
tional democrats have thus far succeeded
IN preventing. but II the tide continues to
rise they must bow to the will of the radi-
calls or their leadership will be swept away.
1t is extremely significant that a strong
faction in the upper house Of Parliament
is advocating the necessity for meeting the
popular demands. The members yesterday
and today In conference under the presi-
dency of Prince Eugene Troubetskoy, dis
cussed this policy. BY a large majority,
and against the protest of the reactonists
under Prince Kassatklne Rostkovsli, It
was decided to also make a reply TO the
speech from the throne at the opening Of
Parliament.
Wiue with Liberals.
Count witte Immediately aligned himself
with the liberals. In a speech which made
a deep impression he advocated the justice
and necessity of amnesty for political prs-
oners. He favored. however, compromise
declaring II would be folly TO open the
doors Of the prisons to all. Amnesty
should be restricted to those who are not
guilty Of political murder OF robbery.
- ''If the prisons arc opened" he observed.
sentenuousy my advice to people with
property is to gather up what they can
and get out Of the country as soon as
possible"
Count Whites attitude indicates that he
intends to make a bold bid for the liberal
leadership In the lower house.
NJ. shipon of Moscow, who is natural
leader Of the progressive element in the
upper house. wanted the reply TO the speech
from the throne 10 go further and include
q demand for the revision OF the finda-
mental law. but the majority thought that
action in this direction should be initiated
by the lower house of Parliament.
The utterances of Interior Minister
StOlypin and NJ, Won scgwanebach, comp
troher Of the empire the only two minis
tyrs present. were quite liberal in tone.
recognizing the necessity for the govern
meut meeting the new conditions. The
formers remarks. including the words
the imperative necessity for the reform
OF local administrations" were especially
gratifying,
Witte Asks for Public Debate.
Former Premier witte again took a
prominent part today in the conferences
Ct members OF the council OF the empire,
successfully insisting that the adoption OF
reply to the speech from the throne
should be postponed until regular meet
ing of the council. at which representa-
tives Of the press shall be present in or
der that the country may be Informed
as TO the arguments advanced on either
side Nevertheless, the projected reply to
the speech from the throne which will
probably be abandoned. already has been
drafted and has been seen by the Asso-
eiated Press. Though delicately expressed
the reply virtually contains a demand for
the amnesty OF political prisoners who are
not guilty OF murder robbery. In other
respects the reply seems to be especially
designed to disarm the suspicious that il
Is TO be the role OF the upper chamber
70 block legislation proposed by the lower
house. After expressing the deepest 10y
atty 20 the emperor. the reply OF the
council of the empire contains these three
principal points:
First-An unequivocal endorsement OF
, seeond-Deciaration Of the intention t,
WOfh IN harmony Win the lower hOuSl
afor large reforms.
Third-Amnesty the suggestion being s,
kworded as not TO wound the sensibility o
Hhe emperor, calling attention to the fac
shat all remarkahle occasions in Russian
Yhlstory have been marked by an act o
STace and urging the strong claim t,
Aclemency OF those who were striving 70
liberty, transgressed lawful limits with
out being guilty Of crime.
Lower House Reply Not Ready.
After struggling the whole day until LAT
this evening over draft OF the reply l.
the speech from the throne. the member
Of the commission OF the house postpone
the work OF phrasing until II O'Clock TO
> morrow The prospects are that full &C
cord on several points may not be reache
before the opening Of the House at
o'clock and that therefore the reply ma
be thrown into the full House for hns
discussion.
Precautions at Moscow.
MOSCOW. May n-As a precautio
against disorders on May day Governo
General Doubassoff divided the city int
districts and stationed IN each detachment
OF infantry and cavalry and machine gum
IN addition 70 patrols Of troops and polio
arrued with rides and supplied with ha