The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-11
New Council Of Empire Meets,
With Elaborate Ceremonies.
Impression Left by Days Events
Is Optimistic.
EXPECTED AN AMNESTY
The Rech, Organ Of the Demo-
Gratis, Is Disappointed.
Are in NOwise Dismayed at
Prospect.

st. Petersburg. May II, e:2O Q. NJ
The third act in the great drama OF
Russian parliamentarism. the formal
opening of the recognized council of
the empire or upper house of the par
lament. took place at 2 o'clock this
afternoon in the hall of the mobiles in
the winter palace. The pomp and
ceremony characteristic of the old Rus
sian life, the absence of which at the
opening meeting of the popular lower
house of parliament in the Tauride
palace yesterday was significant of the
new spirit in Russian affairs found
vent IN the cOnvocation of the council
of the empire which with half the
members elected and half appointed
forms the connecting link between the
new and the old systems The display
OF uniforms and orders, vivid ribbons
and gold braid which was seen at its
height during the ceremonial at the
winter palace yesterday was repeated
on a smaller scale in the great white
hall of the mobiles today. The ministers
displayed their full regalia the mem
bers of the chancellory wore court
dress and swords. the doors were
guarded by servants in picturesque
livery ana the boxes were occupied by
diplomats and high officials and richly
dressed women and though q number
of the elective members were not in
uniform, the colored smock and kaftan
of the peasant and the high boots and
rough coat of the workmen were not
in evidence.
The impression leTt by yesterdays
historic day is on the whole optimistic.
Even the radical papers assume a rath-
er hopeful tone. The Rech organ of
the constitutional Democrats and now
the most powerful paper In Russia.
while not ccncealing its disapopintmeut
at the fact that the expected amnesty
not -
expresses its satisfaction that the EN-
+ peror did not use the word rautocracyt"
4 It regards his majestyss speech as an
adroit REFUSAL to grant any further
concessions, leaving the new fundanen-
tai law as the platform of the gov
eminent, adding:
But the policy OF marking time while
events are marching so rapidly really
The eenstituttona4 demands. how-
ever, are in nowise dismayed at the
| prospect of having to continue the
struggle It is already apparent that
they intend to nail the flag of con
i stitutional monarchy to their mast
head. but their first efforts viii be
1 directed to forcing general political
/ amnesty from the unwilling hands OF
the emperor The deliverance of the
political prisoners and those who have
suffered for freedoms cause is now a
passion with the masses and it is diff
cult to see how the government will
/ be able to resist.
One Of the striking changes today
4 is in the appearance of the Official
Messenger. which for days and weeks
/ had been appearing each morning with
column after column of ukases and
nominations, as the bureacracy fever
ishly sought to get their goods in out
of the wet
With the assembling of parliament
the end has come. Not a single ukase
or nomination was printed today. The
only official announcement was re-
script giving Finance Minister Ko-
kovson credit for negotiating the Rus
sian loan and decorating him with the
Alexander Nevslxy order
The central committee of the consti-
4 tutional Democrats is working out a
reply to the speech from the throne
The principal points viii be amnesty
and equality of pulitical and civil rights
/ but a faction is insisting on a demand
for the abolition of the council OF the
empire. An attempt will be made to
come to an agreement with the peas
ants, who are drawing up an inde
pendent reply. Their chief demands
are amnesty. the organizations of the
labor laws, the reorganization Of the
army. the disbanding of the Cossacks,
the separation of church and state. a
/ general extension Of the schools and
/ equal rights for all nationalities.
Goes to See Emperor.
Prof. Mourosteff went to Peterhof this
afternoon to notify the emperor Of his
election to the presidency Of the lower
house of parliament It is known that
he expects to speak plainly to his
majesty on the views of the country and
the constitutional democrats hope that
much good Will result from the A.
dfence.