Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-11
RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY
Relations Of the Empire to the
Duchy Of Finland.
INTERPOLATION FOR STOLYPIN
Reactionaries Will Try to Force
Some Action Inimical to the
Northern Dependency.

ST PETERSBURG. February 1.-THE
demonstrations against Prof. Paul Milu-
koff leader Of constitutional democrats,
were not resumed in the duma today. A
careful perusal Of tho professors remarks
in New York brought his opponents to a
more tolerant frame of mind, and today
he was permitted to finish his remarks
with no sign Of disapprobation, except
the ostentatious reading of newspapers
by members of the extreme right while he
was speaking.
Spoke Only Briefly.
NJ Milukoff made only passing reference
to his trip to the United States. He an
nounced the decision of the constitutional
democrats and other oppositional parties
to abstain from voting on M. Guchkofr s
motion for a closed session Of the duma
to discuss the report of the committee on
national defense. saying this proposal was
equivalent to a vote of lack Of confidence,
and he resented this intimation of lack
Of patriotism. Prof. NJ Kapustin, on be-
half Of the moderate-octoberists. also op-
posed the Guchkoff motion, but the mo-
tion seems certain to pass
Foreign Policy.
The duma has asked Foreign Minister
Iswolsky to make declaration before it
on the, subject of the, governments for
eign policy. This is in sharp contrast to
the attitude maintained by the preceding
legislative bodies, which busted them
selves exclusively with domestic affairs.
Duchy Of Finland.
The relations between Russia and the
grand duchy Of Finland, which long have
been a subject Of serious discussion in
the higher administrative circles of the
empire and the grand duchy. will now be
raised in the duma by the octoberists.
who have decided to attack as a salient
pin, the Russian premier. over the reports
OF the Finnish secretary of state to the
emperor.
The octoberists in caucus have drafted
an Interpolation addressed to Premier
Stolypin, in which 1T is set forth that, ac-
cording to the fundamental laws of the
empire. ministers reporting to the emperor
must first submit their reports to the
cabinet The Octoberists maintain that
the fundamental laws are applicable to
empire, and it Is fact that up to the
present time the Finnish secretary, who
ranks as a minister. has not observed
this provision.
Premier Stolypin will be asked what
steps have been taken to put an end to
this abnormal condition.
Reactionary Program.
A second Interpolation will ask why
no measures have been taken in accord
ance with instructions issued by the en-
peror to connect the railroad system of
Finland and Russia. a step which is i'm
peratively necessary for the security of
the empire In order to make possible the
rapid mobilization Of troops in case of the
hostile invasion of Finland.
Both these questions will be made ur-
gent in order TO forestall any action on
the part of the reactonaries. who purpose
to raise this matter in much sha rper
form. They are preparing to demand
that the o~enrship of the Viborg district
be restored to Russia, and that measures
to crush the national aspirations Of Fin.
Ia nd n adantoA