RUSSIA'S THIRD DUMA.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12975, 30 November 1907, Page 8

RUSSIA'S THIRD DUMA.

Now that Russia's third Duma has assembled it will bo interesting to comfparo its success with that of its predecessors. Tho second Duma lasted for only 72 days—the first, for a period equally ibricf. Tho first and second met amid ecenes of remarkable public enthusiasm; the assembling of tho third has aroused no enthusiasm whatever in tho people's breast; but the Duma itself displayed a frenzied enthusiasm in singing the National Anthem, four times in succession ana vociferously cheering tho Ozar. The reason for this outburst will appear later.

Tho second Duma met in turbulent times. iMany and divers© a.s were tho views it represented, all its members could 1»o included in one or other ot three- great groups—the Absolutists, the Constitutional Democrats or Cadets, and the Revolutionary Extremists. The "Cadets" desired a quiet, orderly Government, and were content with a small measure of reform, could that only ho obtained by constitutional means; the• Extremists violently opposed this policy, for it* success implied that tho Revolution was at an end; tho Absolutists were equally antagonistic, for its success would aim* ilar)y imply that tbo day of Autocracy was oret. Under skilful leaders, how-

ever, the Cadets enlisted the support of ono antagonist against the other, and had a truly remarkable measure of reform well under way, when the Autocracy, alarmed at the Duma's success, brought its brief but promising career swiftly to a close. Representatives cf "the- upper 130.000" petitioned tho Czar to dissolve the Duma. The Czar hesitated; but every obstacle was placed in the way of the Dumi's success. Ministers ignored its recommendations, experts summoned before its Committees wero refused admittance; the Comptroller-General withheld all information. Yet it pursued its legislative career with unabated vigour. Then autocratic jealousy gavo way to autocratic alarm. The Duma was suddenly called upon to censure in solemn terms the political unrest of the country. A limited time for its decision wes given; M. Stolypin, the Premier, was to dissolve it at the expiration of the period or resign; the Duma debated .beyond its allotted time—and Stolypin chose to remain in offitoe.

During its 'brief And fitful existence tho Duma li«d drafted Bills for the reform or rural Courts of Justice; for personal immunity; for tiho abolition of all religious disabilities; for tho toleration of dissenting communities; for a system of universal education; for tho reform of the civil, military, and railway laws; for tho ecouring of a normal amount of rest for those c - gaged in manufacture; and for financial end agrarian matters generally.

Tho Autocracy then urged tho Czar iml ihis Ministers to a bold step. They violated o;io of tho fundamental principles of the Constitution; they altered it without tho concurrence of tho Duma. It must bo reniemibered tlliat the Duma is not elected directly. It is elected by provincial assemb'ies which flro elected by tho voters of tho provinco. The franchise of the provinces was so altered in favour of tho largo landowners tibxit whereas in 1905 they elected 33 per cent, of tho provincial assemblies, they now elect 52 per cent., while tho burgesses now elect only 22 per cent, in place of the 40 per cent, they elected in 1905. In other words, the vote of a large landowner wae made equal to the votes of 50 burgesses, and to 6J votes of large capitalists or small landowners. Tho immediate effect of this policy upon tho constitution of tho provincial Assemblies can easily be imagined; its ultimate effect upon the personnel of the Duma fully explains the indifference of tho public and the frenzied singing of tho National Anthem. The Extremists had almost . entirely disappeared, only twenty-eight being returned. Against these, there aro ono hundred and twonty Absolutists—members of the Right, who plainly declare that they will oppose all reform till tho country is at peace. If persisted in, this policy spells dissolution—and this is probably whaf they desire. Government by Duma would , then, to some at least, eppear discredited. Tho hope of tho Duma lies, however, in tho great Centre party, composed of one hun>dTC<l Oetobriste and sixty "Cadets," whose policy is to centralise the control of tho legislative and Executive powers in the Duma in accordance with tho terms of the Czar's manifesto of October 30th, 1906. Late cables inform us that tho Absolutists frustrated an attempt of tho Cadets to insert the word "Constitution" in the Address-in-Reply; while they in their turn frustrated a similar attempt on the part of the Extremists to insert the word "Autocracy." Meanwhile, the singing of th© National Anthem and tho cheering of the Czar continues—sad omen to an ill-fated country!