Arizona republican., 1916-02-23
Presence of Emperor Ni.ho- las at Opening Session Is Hailed as Most Important Event in Russian Political History
OF FAR-REACHING
 SIGNIFICANCE
First Time Russian Emperor Has Ever Visited Legis- lative Body or Formally Recognized It as Part of Government
Republican A. p. Leased Wlre1

PErROGRAD, Feb. 92 ,via Londonl. The presence of Emperor Nicholas at the opening of the duma today is hailed by the press and public as one of the most important events in the whole political history of Russia. IL is pointed out that the appearance Of ,he emperor in the house has empha- sized in the most striking manner the increasing disposition of the govern lnent and people to lay aside internal politics and devote all the;r energy to concerted effort to bring the war to successful issue.
 The event is referred to by prom inent members of the dunla as the beginning of a new era" and likened' in it's far reaching significance, to the emancipation of the serfs and the manifesto of 1905.
 This was the first time that q Rus sian emperor had ever visited the legislative body or, in this formal way, had recognized it as one of the parts of the government It bears upon the importance of the political crisis through which Russia has been pass ing. Critics of the government have protested that since the last adjourn ment of the duma the government has not shown any increased tendency to reflect the desires of the popu'ace or yield to the demands for internal re- form, and that a successful prosecu- tiOn of the war was impossible With out some real understanding between ihe government and the duma.
 The emperCr's presence today is taken as a token of a new union of the government and the popular re- views. toward which the Liberal and Progressive clements in the duma nave been striving, and will, 1t Is thought, relieve the tension and sus- pense that has existed since the ad- iournment of the house.
 The session of the duma was opened as usual with half hours prayer The emperor entered the chamber promptly at , o'clock and during the religious ceremony stood under the holy picture of Nicholas, the won . der worker
 About noon news that the duma was
 
 Was flashed through the chamber, but the only preparation which indicated that an event unprecedented in the annals of the duma was to take place was a bright strip of carpet which had been laid in the hall, and the ap- pearance of the Golden Book, which is only brought out to record the names of distinguished visitors. Many of the deputies who returned from the front to resume their legislative du- ties. still wore field uniforms. The new premier, Boris V. Sturmer. whC succeeded NJ. Goremykin in that office made hls first address. He declared that although Russia did not minimize the seriousness of the situation in the duma and the sacrifices she was com nelled to make, both the government and the duma were resolved that peace would not be made until Russia had gained, in conjunction with hel allies. q decisive victory over tho enemy.
 Russia had hardly begun the work of internal organization, said M Sturmer when the war irterferred But even in war time, this work mus go on. Russia's better future is com ing: nothing can disturb our faith IT hat. In the name of this future wt will not close our eyes to our mis- takes and shortcomings. and we must unite our forces. A new page in Rus sian history is opened
 The premier then spoke of the ne' cessity of reform to meet the new economic conditions and of giving tn; people greater hand in the govern ment. He said that the food problem and the question of freeing the coun trv from German influence ought t' command ,:uecial attention