The Washington herald., 1916-04-17
By JOHN i. nALDERsros.


London, March 7s.-For month bat
tie has been going on In the Russian
duma between the Russian people and
the autocrscy. Of which few details have
been permitted TO reach the outside
world. The crisis has not yet ceme in
this struggle, which will continue until
the power Of the bureaucracy is broken
or until the grand ducsl party is again
firmly seated in the saddle But the
progressive block In the dums has won
all the honorr in the opening rounds. and
friends of constitutional government in
London. who are keeping in close touch
with Petrogrsd, are jubnsnt
The dismissal of NJ. Khvostoff, the pow
erful minister OF the interior. who was
called the strong man Of the reaction"
and who aspired to crush the liberal
movement and seize the reins OF power
for himself, has created an excellent
impression in western Europe, where IL
Is hoped that the Car will soon yield 10
the three great demands which the dums
insists must be answered before supplies
are voted. They are, a government which
shall enjoy the confidence Of the people
and contain no German taint; a general
amnesty for political prisoners, and a
constitutional regime in place Of the
present bureaucracy.
Monk Flights Duma.
The famous monk. Gregory Rssputin.
whose ascendency over the superstitious
Czarins has for years been complete, and
who used to boast that not a cabinet
minister could be named without his con-
sent, is fighting the duma with all his
strength. with the court party. headed
by the CzaTs minister Of the imperial
household. Count Fredericks. al his back.
Another mystic, the bishop OF Varnaya-
who claims supernatural power, was
brought to Petrograd by Rasputin, and
influence for the reaction. The arch
bishop Of Petrograd, NJ. Pitirim. has,
through his position, great political
power, and owes his place to Rsspuun.
II seems strange that such a combins-
ton as this can night on even terms the
representatives OF the nation, who are
supported by all the zemstvos. or pro-
visional legislatures. all the town coun-
ellis, and the great majority OF CONNER
cisl classes. the worimen. and the peas
ants OF the empire. Even the cabinet
ministers, who are theoretically answer
able only 10 the Car. are often powerless
before Rasputin, and II was in reference
to the monk that q minister. badgered
because OF his policy. told a group the
lobby of the Duma recently, We do not
rule. we are ruled" The remark was
published. and the minister lost his Job
the next day.
Duma Making Progress.
The Duma is making progress. however
Not many years ago advocates OF an In
come tax. such as Is now in force In the
United States, were sent to Siberia as
reyolutionists. When this article appears
a progressive income tax probably viii
have passed the Duma. over the heads oi
the reactionsriea, since II Is supported by
the cabinet and by the vast majority OF
the members. For the hrxt time In Rus
sian history. the principles Of direct taxa
ton will thus be introduced. Hitherto
there has been only indirect taxation tr
the empire, and almost the whole burden
OF the state has rested upon the poorer
classes
The Duma Ia now seeking 20 bring "a
book traitors in high places who have In
Itr1gued for Germany. The members kee7
ihammering away at the government tc
proceed against the influential Princess
wassilchikoff. who brought peace pro,
posals from Berlin. and the late war min,
lister. Gen. Soukhomlinof. Is to be placed
on trial for his life on the gravest pos
lsible charges unless the court intervenes