The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-26
OF
DRUMHEAD STYLE
BittereSt Grievance of Liberals
Against Russian Ministry
ARMY NOT FOR HANGMEN
Question Raised In Lower House Of
ariament-Dramatic incident
During Speech of constltu-
tonal Democrat.
ARMY NOT FOR HANGMEN

St Petersburg March 25.-The question
OF drumhead courtmartial, the institu-
ton of which forms the bitterest griev-
ance of the liberals against the Stolypin
ministry, was raised in the lower house
of parliament today on motion of the
constitutional democrats for the appoint
ment of a committee to draft and submit
Immediately a bill providing for the ahol-
ition Of this summary procedure The
debate was opened with unexpected de-
corum and self-restraint. Though the
ablest orators, both in the reactionary
and radical camps were engaged, there
was no demonstration beyond simple
nandclapping and Kissing.
The cabinet ministers were present ana
Premier Stolypin is expected to reply to
the attacks on the government at the
close of the debate The feature Of to-
days discussion in parliament was
brilliant speech by NJ. Maklakoff, consti-
tutional democratic leader, on the aspect
of martial law He showed the incon-
sistency of the establishment under the
constitution of martial law, and traced its
development and It's continued existence
III NdliOuS Io4lnS III tiic 6ASoNNi BNAN -
the empire, concluding by stating that
the Terrorism from below was simply
evoked by the terrorism from above.
The conservative orators did not at
tempt to defend the summary procedure
In the abstract, but declared that desper-
ate conditions demanded equally desper-
ate remedies, and maintained that the
passage of the resolution would involve
full surrender to anarchy.
Count Bobdinsky, PRECEDENT of the consti-
tutional conservative party, recalled the
fact that Robespierre and the first speech
in the French convention was against the
death penalty. Russians. he added, must
remember that it's sequel was the eXecu-
ton of the monarch and the submission
of France to military Dictatorship
There was a dramatic incident during
the speech of NJ. Teslinko, constitutional
democrat. who accused the government Of
using drumhead courtmartial arbitrarily
against revolutionists and terrorsts, but
never against the reactionary criminals
Continuing, he said:
"Sasnoff, Mile. Spridonova and other
fighters for liberty who escaped death
are spending tortured existences In Slbe-
ria but where are the incitors of Jewish
massacres? What court has punished
them"
AS NJ. Teslnko asked these questions he
looked squarely at NJ. Krushaven, the
we'll known antisemitic leader, who
sprang to his feet and declared his read
mess to answer for his acts before any
court.
Other opposition orators narrated the
priceless deaths of various persons con-
demned by drumhead courtmartial and
Cossack deputy demanded that the army
be no longer used for hanSman's work.
The whole afternoon was devoted to
speeches on the subject of drumhead
courtmartial and the house adjourned at
$50 D. m. with nearly fifty would-be ora
tors unheard The debate promises TO
continue the whole of tomorrow. During
the afternoon the octoberlsts as well az
the socialists. and socialist revolutionists
sIgnifed their adherence to the resolution
of the constitutional democrats which is
expected to be adopted by an enormous
majority The resolution Is not strongly
opposed by the government as the law
providing for drumhead courtmartial law
will lapse by expiration of its two
months limit tomorrow. and the measure
was not re-lntroduced on the govern
ments programme at the opening of par
lament.
Todavs session of the lower house was
held in the Tauride palace, the fallen
ceiling OF the meeting of the hall having
been temporarily replaced by wood.