New-York tribune., 1907-05-24
PREMIER WARNS D0UMA
FEARS OF DISSOLUTION.
appropriation Of Land Planned by
Committee Will Not Be Permitted


St. Petersburg. May 23-Premier stolypin
caused a sensation in the Douma to-day by an
nouncing Unexpectedly that serious conflict
existed between the house and the government.
He made effective point by showing that the
Agrarian Committee Of the house had prepared
a solution Of the whole agrarian problem with
out consulting with any representative of the
government. The Premier ended his statement
by announcing that the forcible appropriation
of land could not be permitted, and warned the
house that the speeches exciting the peasants
We're beginning to dangerous agitation
in the provinces which the government was de-
termined TO restrain.
The Premier's entry on the scene was almost
dramatic. AT the close of dull session he sud-
denly claimed the floor. It was 6 o'clock. after
the regular hour for adjournment, but the mo-
ton Of the Social Revolutionists TO adjourn was
defeated and amid the most careful attention
the Premier declared that the Agrarian Commit
tee Of the house yesterday had formally adopted
the principle OF the forcible appropriation of
land without waiting TO ascertain the govern
rnents attitude. It was the Premier's duty
therefore, 10 enlighten the deputies. Funda-
mental principles maintained by the govern
men: had been disregarded an openly revolu-
tionary tone marked most Of the speeches. and
insults had been aimed at the government
WOULD CAUSE AN UPHEAvAL.
The Premier added that the agrarian pro-
granue Of the committee left the various par
ties in the house in irreconcTable positions tow
ard each other and toward the government II
the principle Of forcble expropriation Of land
was permitted 10 prevail 8 social upheaval 10
which history could not show q parallel would
be precipitated.
Continuing, NJ. Stolypin characterized the
Constitutional Democratic agrarian programme
as being milder and more gradual than that Of
the Radicals, but. he said, the same principle.
the undermining Of the rights of property, was
hidden at the bottom. Furthermore the Consti-
tutional Democratic price, $40 a deciatin (270
acres) was unTeasonably low and ruinous TO
the land owners. He heartily welcomed the
proposal Of The Constitutional Democrats TO let
the peasants decide whether communal owner
ship should be maintained or abolished. although
he secuted the argument that the forcibIe ex-
preparation Of land was inevitable, pointing out
that the present available government reserve
Of land was inadequate TO appease the land
hunger
n. Stolypin asserted that to pIunder the land
Of 10000 land owners would be Ike nursing an
invalid back 10 health by nourishment drawn
from his own body. The whole state must as
sist in solving the agrarian problem
The Premier then announced the governments
Willingness TO assist the peasants TO purchase
land and help them on a broad scale in the pay
ment Of the mortgage interest but he firmly
asserted that the forcible appropriation Of land
could not be permitted, except in the case Of
The exercise Of the right Of eminent domain IN
building roads. for irrigation works. etc.
In CONCLUSION. the Premier warned the house
thai some Of the speeches made had excited the
peasants and were beginning 10 cause a dan
gerous agitation in the provinces. which the
government was determined 10 restrain adding:
"The Radicals long for a mighty upheavaI We
yearn 10 build up a mighty Russia"
After the Premier had finished speaking the
house adjourned.
FEAR FOR DoUMAs LIFE
The pronouncement Of the Premier has caused
renewal Of the apprehensions regarding the
life Of the Douma, but the Constitutional Dem
ocratic leaders are confident that his hurried
EfaIenent is not connected with the progress OF
the reactionary intrigue against both the Douma
and the Premier. which recently came 10 light
a. Tsarskoe-Selo.
Joseph Y. Hassen, Constitutional Democrat, is
OF the opinion that the suddenness with which
the Premier made his announcement was acct
dental IIe says he was familiar with the con-
tents Of this speech a month ago, and that NJ
stolypin had been awaiting a favorable oppor-
tunity 10 deliver II.
The Constitutional Democrats generally con-
fider the tenor Of this pronouncement 10 be a
long step in advance over the position OF the
government in the last Douma- 1t is evident
that the Premier intended 10 give voice gradu-
ally 10 the governments disapprovaI of the
plan to appropriate land by force, but to-day
he handled the matter so clumsiIy that the only
effect of his speech Will be 20 alarm the peas
shts and drive = majority OF the Group Of Toll
over 70 the Extreme Left.
The beginnings OF agrarian disorders over a
VIDE range Of provinces can now be seen. The
peasants are particularly restive IN the prov !
hces OF kley TVer, Poltava. Tula Ekaterin-
1slaF- Foronezh and Saratov. The estate OF
Frlnce Serge D Durusoff, member Of the lower
mouse from Iula, has just been burned by peas
ants. This act committed in revenge for
iHe Princes conservative speeches in the Douma
The last returns from the general election OF
members TO the Douma have Just been received |
Ihey are from Tonsk, West Siberia, and record |
the selection OF three Constitutional Democratic
peasants. This brings the total strength of this
party UP 70 III, not counting the twenty mem
beTs OF the Group of Toll VINO have coalesced |
with IL The leaderless Group OF Toll is falling |
70 pieces rapidly, the loss OF A F. Alladin and |
d V. Zhilkin being keenIy felt.