RUSSIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2803, 4 December 1907, Page 33

RUSSIA.

ADDRESS OF LOYALTY. STQBMY SCEBE IS THE DUMA. STHN6- SUSPENDED. ST. PETERSBURG, November 27. An animated debate is- proceeding in the Duma relative to the presentation of an address of loyalty to the Throne. The members of the Left, except the Socialists, who absented themselves, urged that the Constitution ought to be mentioned in the address* The mem- > berg of the Bight insisted upon the inclusion of the word "autocracy," while the Octobrist speakers -recognised the existence of the* Constitution and coin eidered ft? unnecessary -to introduce the •word in the address,, since .the Czar had not used it in the Speech from, the Throne. After the- Bight's amendment to insert the word "autocracy" had been rejected, tim Cadets and Moderate members of the Bight agreed to the original text of the address of loyalty to the Throne, which "W[as then, unanimously adapted. The Labour party abstained from voting. _ -The Czar was cheered and the National Anthem sung. ■ ' During the debate the Cadets proposed that the word "Constitution" be introduced in the Address-in-Reply. The Government has decided to purchase from Messrs Vickers, Son, and Maxim for £400,000 the plans of two 20,000-ton battleships, which will be built in Russian yards. The money is to he for- j fexted if' the speed is below 21 knots. ' *' Count Witte has been appointed director 'of the Russian Discount and Credit Bank. This implies his retirement from political life. November 29. Vladimir Ouloff, a son of a captain who •was a friend of General Kaulbara, Governor of Odessa, was hanged at Odessa for armed robbery and shooting at the police in the streets: A search of h1!» room at his parents' residence revealed a .bomb, which was • intended for Kaulbaxs on the occasion of his next visit to Odessa. November 50. •' M. Stolypin read in the Duma a Ministerial declaration carefully avoiding the world "Constitution," and declaring that the autocracy was the supreme power and - that the Gear would resort thereto eysr Russia's safety demanded it. M. Stolypin instanced the electoral law of June 16 and the present need of further repression of the revolutionary movement. The newspapers severely comment on the declarationDecember 1. „ Following after M. Stolypin's; justification of the Government in the Duma, M. Rodicbeff, a member of*the Cadet party, declared that the- hangman's noose hence— ■ forth would be known ac Stolypin's neckercEJef. The members of the Bight thereupon rushed the tribune, and attempted to assault Rodicheff, but the Left made a counter rushy and rescued has. The sitting was suspended. December 2. Tha whole House, includingthe majority ' of the Cadets, cheered M. Stolypin. During the sitting the extreme Right promised to support the new regime and to respect the Duma. M. Roditcheff privately explained to M. Stolypin that^his remark was not intended as a personal one. He hoped that the House would believe his sincerity and regrets. ji. Stolypin replied: "I forgive you." At M. HomsakofFs instance, M. Rodit"cheff has been excluded from the Duma for a fortnight, only 96 members of the Left opposing the proposal.