New-York tribune., 1907-09-02
NEW RUSSIAN DOUMA.
ELECTIONS IN PROGRESS.
Public Interest in Campaign Not
Great.

/ Oh NONcHlDeE II, are now IN 1ull pTOSISSS Tue
voters being engaged in the several steps lead
| ing up the selection of the provincial cleo
| toral colleges which will meet September IA
| to choose the parliamentary representatives Al
| though the final step in the elections is only a
fortnight away public interest is far less than IN
the two preceding campaigns. This Is due IN
part to the natural decline of interest in the
third meeting of the institution, but more
largely TO the changes in the electoral law at
fecting the hitherto dominant position OF the ad-
vanced Liberal and Radical parties, which have
played the principal role, and embrace the most
prominent leaders in the political struggle Al
though these parties have rejected the proposal
to boycott the elections. their interest in the
selection of d body which they do not hope to
control naturally has suffered.
The third Douma is however. looked upon here
as settling the fate of Russias experiment IN
parliamentary government. Although definitely
committed the ideal of representative tnsti-
tutions the Emperor was grievOusly disap-
pointed by the results OF the first and second
elections neither of which produced body
capable of working in harmony with his chosen
advisers and should the changes in the election
law stiu fail to bring forth more satisfactory
institution the cOnvoCation of fourth Douma
during the present crisis would be problematlcal.
Under the new law. the intent Of which is to
eliminate far possible the revolutionary
and ignorant elements which brought ABOUT ti'e
downfall OF the first two parliaments reliance
has been placed on the large landowners ana
property holding city dwellers. whom experience
has proved to be the most conservative class in
Russia and the uneducated peasantry, who had
an exCeptional status IN the first suffrage
scheme but whose representatives. easily
swayed by revolutionary arguments ana the cry
of free land" have been relegated TO a sub
ordinate position. This has been accomplished,
not by disfranchising any class OF voters. out
b,- altering the proportions of representation in
the provincial electoral colleges. the number or
peasant electors. who formerly predominated
in cyerv college being reduced to n small frac-
tIon Of their original strength. while tho repre-
sentatiyes of the IandholdinE and business
classes have been increased 10 give them an
absolute majority in each province. city voters
have been divided into two Categories on prop
ertv basis the richer minority receiving an
equal representation with the poorer masses
The campaign has shown that many OF the
landowners are men of progressive views. and
the presence Of a considerable representation OF
liberal and even revolutionary elements is as
sured but it Is already apparent that the third
Dourna Will be far more moderate than its
predecessors. made up largely Of men whose in
terests are with the maintenance or gradual
development of the existing order These men
are opposed to the extreme projects and theories
professed III the earlier parliaments. but willing
20 take rp the governments programme Of re-
forms This comprises the mass Of law projects
submitted TO the first and second Doumas, but
practically no startling legislation
ELEMENTS OF WEAKNESS.
Elements of weakness in the coming Douma
are already evident. The Conservative candt-
dates though embracing many men of educa-
ton and refinement. are without political or
parliamentary experience, having been barred
from taking part in the earlier development or
legislative institutions by the of radical
sentiment. If the first Douma failed by reason
of its refusal TO work with the government and
the second by its delay in beginning, the third
is apt to find trouble through sheer lack OF ac-
ouaintance with tho forms of parliamentary
,,roce5ure and experience in the committee
rooms where much of the labors Of so large an
assembly must necessarily be performed. The
Conservatives also lack the organization ana
party discipEae which make the constitutional
Democrats so formidable. Trouble Is antcl-
mated with the extreme reactionares many OF
whom. fanatical and ignorant and as much at
war with Stolvpiz and the ministry the
revolutionists. finding their way into the
final elections Most OF tho members of the
third Douma will he new men. the old standing
slight chance of reelection under the altered
conditions The Constitutional Democrats hope
to return number of their prominent leaders
I'm the elections in the larger cities, including
Professor Milukoff. who was excluded from rhe
first and second Doumas by election technical
tiles Their chances cannot yet he predicted, the
elections in the seven cities retaining indlViduai
representation in parliament being this year by
direct vote and not taking place until Septem-
ber H.
sToI.YPIN'S PRESTIGE DIMINISHED.
Although often reported TO be in disfaVor al
Peterhof where his enemies have the ear OF the
Emperor Premier Stolypin remains at the head
of the administration, though with diminished
prestige Rumors of his retirement are less
frequently heard. This fact presages sincere
EFFORTS at cooperation between the administra-
tion and parliament, Stolypin having risked i'm
perial favor in his efforts to prolong the exist
ence of the preceding Douma, and yielding oniy
Mt the last moment TO the direct imperial COM
maud He is responsible Tor the convocatlon
of the Douma this autumn the Emperor having
haen strongly inclined to accept advice to pro-
rop1,e parliament indefinitely until the present
agitation subsidies. He also used his influence
~ ,,raveut still further modification Of the cleo
toral law
living constantly under the shadow of assas-
eiration Stolypn has become faralist, and
rarely engages in q conversation in which he
does not auude TO his expectation of being killed
in harness Several members of his Cabinet
shara the same apprehension. though with less
reason.
count 1vitte who yea-s ago was jast re
turninx to power. 10 now completely u tie pscA-