Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-03-16

circulating from the Scandinavian
capitals
The struggle between the duma and
the reactionary party in Russia has
been known to be proceeding with
great bitterness for a long time and
repeated changes in the ministerial
ranks showed that matters We're far
from settled.
Little was permitted to appear in
the English papers. From time to
time news percolated from different
quarters as to how liberal Russia was
struggling against pro-German influ-
ences in the persons of Sturmer, Pro-
topopoff, and other high personages.
The assassination of Rasputin was an
other proof as to what length the strug-
gle was proceeding, but the disappear
ance of this notorious parsonage ap-
peared still to leave the German re-
dictionary influences exceedingly strong
in the high places.
Duma Suspension is Climax
| Unrest in Russia and disputes be
tween the government and the duma
have occurred repeatedly since the be-
ginning of the European war and ap-
parently the dissentions came to
head When Emperor Nicholas sus-
pended the duma and the council of
1 the empire on March y. The many
changes in governmental places and
the continued growth of liberal feel
ings both in the duma and council of
the empire led to predictions that a
change in the fundamental government
of the Russian empire would come
with the end of the war.
Affairs in Russia, which had led to
the installation of two premiers up to
|
the head of the government, reached
crisis in November last year, when
Sturmer, who was accused by Liberal
leaders in Russia with sympathies with
Germany, was removed and his place
! taken by NJ Trepoff. The removal Of
Sturmer resulted from a clash between
the duma and the cabinet, in which
the duma was victorious. After the
apnointment of Premier Trepoff it was
believed the crisis in Russia govern
mental affairs had been passed safely.
Dissentions arose quickly, however
and the council of the empire threw
its political weight on the side of the
1 duma. On December II. Germany an
nounced its peace offer and three days
later both the duma and the council
of the empire voted in favor of the
rejection of the peace terms Before
adjournment on December 80 the duma
adopted a resolution denouncing dark
forces" in the empire.
In the interim, Gregory Rasputin,
the mystic monk" who was reputed
to have great authority with En-
peror Nicholas and the members of
the imperial family cordial to Ger
many was murdered dramatically by
Russian noblemen of liberal inclina-
lions on January l and his body
thrown into the Neva. The liberals
soon received another setback when,
on January 10, it was announced that
Prince Colitzine had been appointed
premier to succeed M. Trepoff On
January Is, Emperor Nicholas in his
new year ukase. announced the APP
pointment of many new members to
the council of the empire. This ac-
ton resulted in the progressive ma
jority in the council being succeeded
by men of conservative leanings OPP
posed to the liberal movement in Rus
sian affairs.
Postpones Duma Opening.
Four days later the emperor, be-
cause of the changes in the govern
ment, which included the appointment
of Alexander D. Protopopoff, whom
Berlin newspapers described as the
power behind the throne" as min
lister OF the interior, dIlIlOulCtu Tue
postponement of the opening of the
sessions of the duma and the council
of the empire. Meanwhile, the dis
agreements continued between the lib
erals in control of the duma and the
so-called reactionaries, who gained
control of the government in the ele-
walton of Prince Golitzine to the pre-
miership. President RodZianko, presi-
dent of the duma and one of the fore
most liberal leaders, clashed verbally
with Minister Protopopoff and reports
from Petrograd were that duel be-
tween the two men was inevitable.
The Petrograd press on January Il
was reported to be pessimistic over
the postponement of the sittings of the
duma and the council of the empire.
The emperor in a rescript to Premier
Golitzine on January 81 promised a
more benevolent attitude towards the
duma by the government and urged
the premier to devote his attention to
the question of supplies for the Rus
sian armies, which the duma had
severely criticized.
The imperial order was taken in
some Russian quarters to mean that
the government and the duma and