THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13465, 18 April 1907, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT.

PROFESSOR be MARTENS'

LETTER.

DISAVOWED IN ST. PETERS-

BURG.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.— Copyright.

(Received April 17, 11. jO p.m.)

St.- Petersburg, April IT. A new group has boon formed in the Duma, composed of the Moderate parties and members of the RightIts chief aim is to increase the fruitfulness of the Duma's labours, and oppose the revolutionary section in the event of a dissolution. It is semi-officially stated in St. Petersburg that Professor de Martens, in his letter to the Times, expressed his own views. London, April 17. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Times reports that Professor de Martens' letter has caused the utmost astonishment and displeasure in Government circles there. It is stated emphatically that the Government desires to co-operate with the Duma. In hie letter to the Times, Professor de Martens said lit; considered the second Duma a failure, and its dissolution a question only of days or weeks. He thought yie only remedy lay in the violation of article 87 of the fundamental laws, which deals with the franchise. The Times described the professor's remedy as a counsel of despair.

THE BUDGET COMMITTEE. St. Petersburg, April 16. M. Stolypin has yielded to the Duma's demand for the appointment of financial experts'"to 'advise the committee that is dealing with the Budget.

It was reported recently that a serious crisis luid arisen between the Government and the Duma, owing to the demand of the Budget Committee for expert assistance.