The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-05
Patriots Trampled at
Opening of
DOuma.
BfOOdieSt Revolution
of History
Feared.
Cars Opposition Will
PreCipitate the
Conflict.

ST. PETERSBURG. March Sex
cited citizens gathered outside the
Taurida Palace for the opening Of the
'DoUma, engaged in such wild demon
stration that "a cavalry charge was ord
cred 70 clear the streets about the pal
ace Many persons were ridden down
and badly injured.
Promptly at noon the douma formally
opened. Premier StOlypin and all mem
bers OF his cabinet being present. Di-
vine service was held by the Metropoli-
tan AntOnius and Bishops Plato and
Eluagis. both OF whom are members of
the dOuma. After this ceremony An
tOnius delivered a speeclr saying that
he hoped the new assembly will act
for the good Of the country, which IS
now in he thrUes Of anarchy He con-
cluded With prayer that Cod viii
direct the deputies in their work, and
appealed for peace anC harmony
NJ GOloovin. a cadet member Of the
liberal party, was then chosen president
OF the doUma-
NJ GlOubOff. vice president Of the
council Of the empire. read the Cars
decree convoKing the doUma, and was
received with the Widest cheers from
about one hurdred deputies, who
jumped 10 E4iIir EErN in n NdlD4e
1 demOnsrT- I.On Of loyalty 10 the imperial
EOVernmt l. For ten minutes their
shouts OF Long live the Car blocked
all progress In the meantime. the rest
OF the deputies present about 300 in
number, sat II sullen silence.
Mob Outside Palace.
Outside the Taurida Palace. where the
Gouma sits, there were tumultuous pop
uIIr demonstrations probably Indicative
OF the stormy future Of the assembly.
The public was barred from admission
20 the palace by cordons Of troops. The
1 people. however, gathered by the tnou-
sands near the entrance for the depU-
ties and greeted their favOrites. men
who had proved themselves loyal to the
/ peoples interest
Without exception. the warmest greet
I lngs were given 10 the Socialist Gepu-
/ ties. Whenever one would appear there
/ would be loud cries from the people for
Amnesty" and Ere eedom"' Some OF
| the deputies stopped 10 talk with the
I crowds, assuring the excited throngs
with such remarks as Rely on US o.
I we viii do our best These promises
/ never failed 10 call forth round after
/ round Of applause.
i Throughout the city there was great
/ excitement. The government prerara-
/ tions TO suppress disorders were not as
! thorough as at the opening of the first
/ douma- Except for the troops stationed
about the Taurida Palace and strong pa
I trolls in the districts where workingmen
1--we only the usual military guards were
visible
Deputies Simply Clad.
l
usually affected by members Of other
European parliaments was the appear
ance Of most Of the deputies. There
were a few weIl-dressed men. but for
the most part. all were dressed like
workingmen. The PEASANTS. in the na-
tive costumes of the district from
which they came, did not look at all
out of place
There are six parties in the new
! Liberals. Nationals Radicals and So
cialists- No party has majority. and
some Of the parties are so shaded into
each other that II is impossible 10
enumerate their actual voting strength.
1t is expected that the Nationals. Radi-
calls. and Socialists will possess a small
majority on all important matters Of
legislation.
May Dissolve Douma-
As yet the parties have not definitely
decided on their policy. Present indi-
cations are that no attempt viii be
made TO transfer the douma into a
constituent assembly. but that the oppo-
sitiOn deputies viii rely on obstruction
ist tactics TO force the government to
introduce Liberal measures This policy
may fail. however. and if it does there
Will be nothing left for the opposition
to do but submit TO the govern ment
or fight il openly. Premier StolyDin
can rely absolutely on the firm sun
port of the Gar, If conflict with douma
arises over obstruction tactics. Nicholas
viii dissolve the douma as he did the
last rather than submit to dictation
He is known TO have told Premier StoIv-
pin: I am ready to dissolve three
doumas rather than abandon the cabi-
net"