REFORM OF AN AUTOCRACY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5734, 1 November 1905, Page 5

REFORM OF AN AUTOCRACY.

CABLE NEWS.

UNITED PKES3 ASSOCIATION. —BY ELECTEIC TELEGEAPB. —COPYRIGHT.

MANIFESTO BY THE CZAR. SAFEGUARDS FOR SOCIETY. RECOGNITION OF THE ELECTIVE PRINCIPLE. CONCESSIONS TO THE PEOPLE. (Received October 31, 10.17 p.m.) ST. PETERSBURG, October 31. Tho Czar late last evening issued a manifesto, which says: “ Tho troubles and agitations in our capital and numerous other places fill our heart with great and painful sor-

row . , “ The happiness of a Sovereign is indissolubly bound up in the happiness of his people. Sorrow of the people is sorrow to the Sovereign. “Those agitations may cause great national disorganisation, and menace the integrity and unity of the Empire. Tho supremo duty imposed on us by our Sovereign mission requires us to efface ourself, and with all our reason, all empower, hasten a cessation of troubles so dangerous to tho State. “ Wo have directed the authorities to prevent open disorder and excesses, and protect peaceable subjects. Wo have recognised that in order to assure success for the general measures of pacification it is indispensable to co-ordinate and unify the powers of the central Government. “Wo have, therefore, directed tho Government to abstain from any interference in tho elections to tbe Duma, keeping in view sincere desire for realisation of tho ukase of December 25th, 1904. Tho Government must maintain tho Duma’s prestige, and exhibit confidence in its labours, and not resist decisions .which are not inconsistent with Russia’s historic greatness. “ One must identify oneself with the ideas of tho great majority of Society—not the echoes of noisy groups and factions, too often unstable. It is especially important to secure reform of the Council of Empire on an electoral principle. • “ I believe that in the exercise of executive power the following principles should' be embodied:— First, straightforwardness and sincerity in tho confirmation of civil liberty, and providing guarantees for its maintenance. Secondly, a tendency towards the abolition of exclusive laws. Thirdly, co-ordination and activity of all organs of government. Fourthly, avoidance of repressive measures in respect to proceedings which do not openly menace society or the State. Fifthly, to seo that acts are based upon law-, and on moral unity with a reasonable majority of society. Confidence must be placed in tho political tact of society. It is impossible to desire anarchy, which, besides tbe horrors of civil strife, would dismember the Empire. “Wo therefore direct tho Government as follows: First, to grant tho population immutable foundations of civic liberty, based on tho real inviolability of the person, and freedom of conscience, speech, union, and association. Secondly, without deferring tho elections to tho Duma, to call to participation in the Duma, as far as possible, in view of the shortness of time before it assembles, those classes now completely deprived of electoral rights, leaving the ultimate development of the principle .of electoral right in. general to the newly-established legislative ori order. Thirdly, to establish tho immutable rule that no law can come into . force without the Duma’s approval, Gins making it possible for elected people to exercise real participation in tho supervision and legality of the acts of tho authorities. “We appeal to all faithful sons of Russia to remember their duty to tho Fatherland, and to aid in ending the present unprecedented troubles by applying all their forces in co-operation in restoring calm and peace on our natal soil.”