New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-20
TIE RUSSIAN PRoGRAll,lE-

Mr. Stolypin's statement OF the Russian gov
ernmental programme is OF the highest inpor-
lance for the reason that it indicates Just what
the Douma may and may not do The Rus
sian parliament has not yet, as other parlia-
ments, even that Of Persia. have, the right OF
initiative in legislation. 1t must act upon those
matters which the government submits TO it.
and no Others That is, in theory. an oppres-
sive restriction, against which protest and re-
volt might we'll be made In practice we ara
not sure but that 1t is prudent and commenda-
BILE. seeing how lnexpert the members Of the
Donna mostly are in legislative work and how
much danger there might otherwise be- Of their
worse than wasting their time with a multi
tude OF extravagant and impractlcable propo-
sails. Certainly this restrictive policy has a
strong apology, If not a vindication. In the
character of the agenda put forward by ar
Stolypin. For the subjects enumerated by him
are all highly desirable for immediate action
they comprise about everything that is urgent,
| and they provide all the work the most ambi-
tiOus workers could hope to get through In the
lifetime Of one Douma.
Seeing, then, that this government programme
is fully as good as any which the Douma could
hope to prepare for itself, the part Of practical
wisdom will be for the Douma to waive the
technical point of initiative and go to work
on the matters thus laid before it; and II is
encouraging to see that this is precisely what
the best elements in that body are inclined
to do. 1t is true that Prince Zereteli, who Is
revolutionary frebrand, moved for the rejec-
ton Of the programme and a declaration OF
war against the government, and was supported
In that attitude by the Socialist faction But
his and their sense of logic must be strangely
awry. If, as he declared, the Socialists expect
nothing from the government and are there
fore unwilling TO accept this programme from
It. why are they in the Douma at all? Why
have they accepted the creation of that body +?
It seems to us that by recognizing the govern
ment TO that extent they placed themselves I'M
der a logical and moral obligation to cooperate
with IT further. The place for those who want
to wage war is outside. All who are in the
Douma should pursue the work for which Il
was called into being
Far different was the course adopted by
Prince Dolgorouki, who is not only the most
distinguished member OF the hereditary nobil-
Ity Of Russia, but also one of the wisest states-
men and truest philanthropists in that empire
He moved that the DOuma, having heard the
ministerial programme, should proceed TO the
order Of the day-that is, quit talking and go
to work on the practical matters before It, In
that it is encouraging to observe, he was sun
ported not only by the Constitutional Demo
Gratis. Of whom he was the spokesman, but also
by the Polish Nationalist and the Group of
Toll. Thus was formed precisely such a COM
binatiOn OF parties as was forecast in these
columns at the opening OF the DOuma, and It is
in the highest degree gratifying to know that
it secured majority of votes and thus adopted
Prince DOlgOrouki's resolution.
There need be no hesitation In saying that II