New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-23
His Presence Hailed as
Token of Union of Gov
eminent and People.
NATION RESOLVED
ON WAR TO THE END
New Premier Says Reforms and
Work OF Internal Reorgan-
izatiOn Must Go On.

Petrograd, Feb. 22.-The presence Of
Emperor Nicholas at the opening OF
the Duma to-day is hailed by the press
and public as one Of the most impor-
tant events in the whole political his
tory of Russia. 1t is pointed out that
the appearance of the Emperor in the
house has emphasized in the most
striking manner the increasing dispo-
sition OF the government and people
TO lay aside internal politics and de-
vote all their energies to a concerted
effort to bring the war TO successful
issue.
The event is alluded to by prominent
members Of the Duma as "the begin
ming OF new era" and likened, in it's
farrcaching significance. TO the eman-
cipation of the serfs and the manifesto
Of 1905.
This was the first time that Rus
sian Emperor had ever visited the leg
islative body in this formal way and
recognized it as one of the parts Of
the government. It bears upon the i'm
portance of the political crisis through
which Russia has been passing. Critics
Of the government have protested that
since the last adjournment Of the Duma
the government has not shown any in
creased tendency TO reflect the desires
OF the populace or yield TO the de-
mands for internal reform, and that
successful prosecution Of the war
was impossible without some real un-
Outstanding between the government
and the Duma.
See New Union Of People.
Tho Emperor's presence to-day is
taken as a token OF new union OF the
government and 5he popular repre-
sentatives, toward which the liberal
and progressive elements in the Duma
have been striving, and will, 1t IS
thought. relieve the tension and su'-
pense which have existed since the ad-
iournment OF the house.
The session of the Duma was opened
as usual with a half hours prayer
The Emperor entered the Chamber
promptly at 9 o'clock and during the
religious ceremony stood under the
holy picture OF Nicholas. 1.-THE Wonder
Worker"
About noon the news that the Duma
was to receive visit from the Pm
peror was flashed through the Cham
Der. but the only preparation when
indicated that an event unprecedented
in the annals Of the Duma was to take
Mace was a bright strip of carpet which
had been laid in the hall and the ap-
nearance 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.'
10 resume their legislative duties still
wore field uniforms.
War to the End.
The new Premier. Boris Y. Sturmer,
who succeeded VI. Goremykin in that
Office. made his first address. lie de-
clared that although Russia did not
minimize the seriousness of the situa-
ton in the Duma and the sacrifices she
was compelled 70 make, both the gov
eminent and the Duma were resolved
that peace could not be made until
Russia had gained. in conjunction with
her Allies, a decisive victory over the
enemy.
RUSSIA had hardly begun the work
Of internal reorganization" said NJ.
Sturmer. when the war interfered. but
even i'm war time this work must go on.
Russia's better future is coming. Moth
ing can disturb our faith in that. In
the name Of this future We will not
close our eyes 70 our mistakes and
shortcomings. and we must unite our
forces A new page in Russian history
is being opened"
The Premier then spoke Of the neces-
sity of reforms 10 meet the new eco
nomic conditions and Of giving the peo-
pie a greater hand in the government.
lie said that the food problem and the
question Of freeing the country iron,
German influence ought to command
sneciel attention.