Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-01
THE AGRARIAN ISSUE
DISCUSSION BEGUN IN LOWER
HOUSE AT ST. PETERSBURG.

ST. PETERSBURG, April 1.-The discus
sion of the agrarian problem, to which the
first Russian parliament almost entirely de-
voted its legislative activity, began in the
lower house today. Over hundred speak
ers Immediately signified their intention of
participating in the debate, to which, ac-
cordng to the plans of the parliamentary
leaders. only one day per week will be de-
voted. The question is considered to be of
far less Importance now than it was last
year. Neither the constitutional democrats
nor the socialists have much expectation of
arriving at practical results during the life
of the present parliament
They are convinced that any measure in
volving the compulsory appropriation of
land, which is the basic principle Of all the
liberal solutions will Immediately be vetoed
by the emperor, and be regarded by the
cabinet as a justification for the dlssoiu-
ton of parliament. The house. however,
was forced to begin the discussion of the
agrarian problem as a concession TO the
peasant constituents of many of the mem
bers. Each political party has put for-
ward three or four spokesman to explain
the features Of the programs; but the great
mass of the speakers are peasants, whose
remarks will contribute but little to soiu-
ton of the question.
The Real Work.
The real work will mainly be done by the
committee to which the various projects
will be referred The project of the con-
stitutional democrats. which was introduced
today. is practically identical with last
years draft. 1t involves the compulsory
expropria ton of all estates above estaD-
lished maximumS. to be determined IN each
province by commissions created Tor this
purpose The bill, as presented, contem-
plates individual ownership, whereas, the
project of the group of toll. which also
was reintroduced. proposes the nationalist
ton of all the land in the empire.
The national socialists introduced Dill
repeating all Premier Stolypins temporary
agrar,an legislation but this probably Will
be allowed to die a natural death IN COM
mittee the cabinets enactmentS, such as
the optional abolition of the communes,
notifications of the old system, ana the
distribution of land belonging to the i'm
perial domains being already too far in Ell
feet and too intimately connected with the
life of the nation to permit OF their With
drawal.
The first speaker today was Prince d. N
SyiatopO,k- MirSky, mOnarch1St ana lanu-
owner of Bessaraba, and a relative OF eH-
Minister of the Interior Sviatopaik-Mlrsky,
who made a long speech in defense or lndl-
vidual property. quoting literally IRON
American and English authorities on the
subject.
Prince Vassilchikoff, minister of agr.cul-
tUre speaking in behalf of the cabinet,
outlined the governments agrarian program
LAYING down as an ultmatum the mann
tenance of the principle of the inVlolaplAty
of private property. The appropriation OF
and he added was permissible only in ex-
cep:iCnal cases.
Continuing Prince NasSilchikof promised
a series of measures increasing the quantity
and raising the level of the cultivation OF
the peasants lands.