THE CZAR'S REBUFF TO THE DUMA.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12509, 23 May 1906, Page 7

THE CZAR'S REBUFF TO THE DUMA.

. ASSEMBLY ANGRY BUT UNDAUNTED.

DIPORTANT AGRARIAN BILL. (Received May 23rd, 12-57 a.m.) ST. PETERSBURG, May 22. The Czar declined to receive Professor Muromtzeff and the Vice-President of tbe Duma, and directed that the address should be forwarded through the usual channels, with an, explanatory memorandum. Though surprised and angry at this, tfho Duma resolved that only the substance of the address was important, the manner of presentation being a matter of no oons.quenoe, and immediately proceeded to the discussion of the draft of thd Agrarian Bill for'the partial expropriation of private lands at prices to b9 determined later. The=e, with landls belonging to the State, tbe Crown, the monaster.es, and the churches, are to be converted into a Stats reserve, pear sants obtaining allotments on long leases, under supervision of local committees. The principle of expropriation is mainly applied to large private holdings! uncultivated by tlie owners. The Government has oonsanted to reply within a month to an interpellation regard ng the printing of official pro--clamations inciting the populace to violence. The Council of the Empire's address was transmitted to tho Czar through tho ordinary Court channels.