Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-24
TO JUSTIFY DEMANDS
Designed to Counterfeit Activity Of
the Socialists.
AT ODDS WITH ADMINISTRATION
Conservative Leaders Declare That
the Position of the Minority Is
Growing Weaker.

ST PETERSBURG, June 23.-The central
committee OF the constitutional democrats
today decided to draw up address to the
country setting forth their position in the
lower house of parliament, especially in
Justification of their demand for the retire
ner. Of the ministry, and appealing for the
support OF parliament.
The address is designed to counteract the
activity of the socialist group which Is
working night and day to undermine the
position OF the constitutional democrats in
the country and to serve also as a platform
on which the party can stand In case of
rupture OF the administration, which
many OF the more radical OF the cons,itu-
tional democrats now believe cannot come
any too soon.
They maintain that parliaments impoten-
cy TO pass desired legislation was clearly
manifested by the response of Premier CO.
femykin and the attitude of the council
OF the empire. and that it also has scr ved
the purpose OF educating the people that
further delay in bringing the issue to a
mead Is merely an advantage to the gov
eminent, which was able to go before the
country on agrarian reforms while pariia-
Heht was still involved in oratory.
Effect of Delay.
This view. however is not taken by the
more conservative leaders of the party. who
today assured the Associated Press that the
position of the ministry is steadily grow
Ing weaker and that the DELAY IA PLAYING
directly into the hands OF the constitutional
democrats. Parliamentary leaders are un-
able even TO approximate a date for re-
porting the asrarian bill, they say and the
only hope for a speedy issue is compro-
mise that will include only the most general
prlhciples or the first statute and refer
everything else to local commissions IN
whose reports the details of exprouria ton
OF land. its division and tie payment for 1t
may be worked out. thereby deferring q
settlement OF the question at least until
fall.
Ths Land Question
The leaders are inclined to adhere to the
principles Of leasing instead Of sale In the
apportionment Of appropriated land: but
long-term leases of ninety-nine years. they
say, would be almost the equivalent or
deeds Of gift, except where leases permit
restrictions Of subleasing without which
consolidation of lands in the hands OF the
few is considered TO be quite possible
Another reason for adhering to leasing
IL frankly admitted by Prof Paul n Milu-
koff. the leader of the constitutional
democrats. and others to be in order TO
avoid the outcry of injustice and class
legislation, which their opponents would
be justified in raising If the land were
taken from one set Of owners and as
signed to another on exactly the Same
basis The minister of finance will soon
present a bill in parliament revising the
realty tax in cities and villages and in
creasing the excise tax on tobacco prod
Ucts
The irresponsibility of the local police
10 shown in the closing of constitutional
democratic bureaus at Yaroslav and Riaz-
an, A better measure for thwarting the
cabinets plan for avoiding a rupture a.
long as possible could not have been de
yised.
Rumors that antt-Jewish disturbances
would take place today at Bialystok
Wilma and other cities within the paie
" ere tndustriorsly circulated and result
ed IN great excitement The reports. how
ever. was without foundation No dis
orders have been reported.
The parliamentary committee, which is
drafting law for the inviolabiilty of per-
son has adopted proposals for abolishing
the law Tor the expulsion of foreigners
from Russia, except In time of war. unless
Il law court sentences them to expulsion.