New-York tribune., 1907-06-18
RUSSIAN GERR WANDER
L1ND OWNERS IN POWER.
Reopportionmeat Figures JuggIed
on Basis Of VOtes.

feature OF the law is neither th. disfranchise-
ment of aliens the direct vote in cities, but
The utterly unscrupulous way in which figures
were juEsled TO produce the desired result the
reapporuonment having been made without the
slightest regard to population land areas but
solely a basis of the votes cast in the pre-
vious elections.
The tables not published in The Official
Messenger" supplied to newspapers in the
interior The tables put the landlords in undis-
puted control of the electorate of the whole OF
Russia Under the old scheme not a single pro-
Finclal college contained a majority of land
holders In thirteen provinces there alb
solute majority of peasants and in the remainder
OF the provinces peasants predorninated Now
every college is controlled completely by land
holders without the help of the newly created
category Of heavy urban taxpayers in twenty
nine out Of ffty-three provinces in European
Russia Tomsk and Tobolsk having an absolute
majority of landholders, solely control these
colleges.
The law enables the land holders to elect O.
peasant deputy even where the peasant delega-
zion is radical. long as single Conservative
elector manages to be elected for the one peas
ant deputy in each province now elected by the
whole college.
REDUCTION OF PEASANT ELECTORS
The result has been obtained by the wholesale
reduction of peasant electors from total of
1888 to LIS more than 90 per cent Instances
Of this reduction seen in the case OF Vo-
Fonezh, where the peasant representation has
been reduced from 100 10 35: Tamboff from 81
TO 26; Tomsk. a TO II. and Viatka. 14s to %.
Viatka province. with its peasant holdings and
almost no landed gentry, becomes a rotten
borough, punished for radicalism.
There are only two provinces in which the
peasant representation not diminished.
Minsk and Nitebsk, which returned Conservative
delegations in the previous election. PoltaVa.
which is Moderate. lost only two peasants 1t
has p in place of %
The same principle in the manipulation of the
franchise a reward for political views is ap-
piled TO the urban electorate in the provinces.
where the town vote previously was monarchist.
The urban representation in such cases in
creased and in those places which showed an OPP
posite political view the representation de-
creased.
What is regarded as the most far reaching
single provision OF the electoral law excludes
the peasants from all participation In the curia
OF the land holders even though they be the
possessors Of property apart from the COM
munal requirements. Hitherto 90 per cent OF
the members OF the curia were small landhold-
ers, classed as peasants.
The juggling extends down to the individual
districts. Each province throughout is fitted TO
the election returns. indicating an exhaustive
and detailed study the part of the trainers OF
the new law to thwart every adverse possibility
in the election.
The radical and summary way in which tho
election law was published has drawn mild pro-
tests from the bureaucrats, who sticklers for
formality. Tradition requires that all laws be
published by the Senate. which is supposed TO
De e!npORerSQ 10 delay the punncaIlOn II the
law is unconstitutional After signing various
dissolution DEGREES during the night. four trusted
Senators were summoned by the Emperor ana
furnished quorum and expedited the publica-
ton Of the law. Senators who II feared
might raise obstacles were not informed.
The entire day passed here In unbroken quiet.
The worknnen did not attempt to hold meetings
and the guard regiments were ordered back TO
Krasnoye Selo. the authorities confident
there would be disturbances.
a GENERAL STRIKE NOT PROBABLE.
The chances Of the proclamation of a general
strike in answer TO the governments dissolution
Of the Douma steadily lessening The ques-
ton is now under discussion at secret confer
ence Of the central committee Of the Social
Democrats, which is being held in Finland, but
strong opposition TO strike is known TO prevail,
not only the part of the moderate leaders. but
also among the adherentS Of the radical major
1ty A number of the moderates urge that the
government is strongly intrenched that a
strike would be futile, weaken the prestige Of
the party and involve the rank and file and the
industrial proletariat generally in a series Of
reprisals and immense pecuniary loss. The con-
ference. which is attended by all the members
OF the lower house who have not been arrested,
viii probably content itself with issuing series
Of proclamations addressed 10 the peasants the
army and navy and the workrnen, accusing the
government Of violating faith with the country
Dy altering the election law in defiance of tho
imperial pledges, and appealing to the masses to
continue the fight to overthrow the present
system.
The Social Revolutionists at a conference hel6
last night, voted against the proposed strike and
appointed committee 10 draft a similar address
10 the peasants, the army and navy and the
workmen. The National Socialist and Group OF
1on members are also contemplating the issu-
ance of appeals to their constituents
Messages from practically every city in the
empire say that the news of the dissolution was
received quietly, and with almost an entire
absence Of demonstrations
PAPERS FEAR -yTL-yXyC-
The few newspapers appearing here to-day
Elake extremely guarded comments on the Sit
uation, the radical Russ" contenting itself with
expressing the hope that two election campaigns
n one year will widen the political horizon Of
the people
The "Novoe Vremya," which has aligned itself
with the reactionists. attacks the new election
law as a halfway measure afording possb!l-
ity that the revolutionary element will saeain
be able TO enter parliament.
close study OF the new election law which
Is bulky document Of eighty pages in COM
picated phraseology, has somewhat lispelled
the feeling OF gloom in liberal circles The idea
Is gaining ground that the government has
failed in its intentions and that there is "A pos
sibility that the opposition viii have a majority
IN the third parliament. It is thought that the
Constitutional Democrats will retain control Of
me cities though they may be swamped by the
Social Democrats in the elections of the second
and poorer classes Of urban voters. The Consti- |
tutonal Democrats also hope 10 return a con-
siderable number Of the sixty land owning rep
resentarives. whom the government believed
would be exclusively conservative
NJ GOLOVIN HOPEFUL
II. Golovin. president of the former lower house
In an interview before his departnre ne az,
rlessed confidence that the new parliament