The Russian Turmoil.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 17, Issue 59, 27 July 1906, Page 5

The Russian Turmoil.

WARNING TO THE NATION. St. Petersburg, July 25. About two-thirds of the members of the Duma have signed a manifesto to the Russian people. The manifesto recounts the efforts of the Duma to secure greater freedom for the nation; the dismissal of the Ministry, who infringed laws with impunity; and the passage of a law securing land for the working peasantry, by absorbing Crown and Church lands, and the compulsory expropriation of private estates. The Government, says the manifesto, holding such a law inadmissible, have dissolved the Duma, promising to convoke a new Duma seven months hence. Though the country is on the brink of ruin, industry and commerce undermined, the people seething with unrest, and although the Ministry have shown incapacity to do justice to popular needs, yet the Government propose for seven months to continue to act arbitrarily, and fight the popular movement in order to obtain a pliable, subservient Duma. But should the Government succeed in suppressing the popular movement they will not convoke a new Duma, The manifesto then appeals,to citizens as follows:-"Stand up for the trampled-on rights of popular representation and for an Imperial Duma. Russia must not remain a day without popular representation. You possess the means of acquiring it, The Government, without the assent of popular

representatives, have no right to collect taxes or summon people for military service. Now that the Government have dissolved the Duma the people are justified in giving neither money nor soldiers. " All loans raised by the Government without the consent of popular representatives will be invalid, the nation never acknowledging liability. Therefore, until popu'ar representatives are summoned, do not give a kopeck to the throne or a soldier to the army. Be steadfast in refusal. No power can resist the united, inflexible will of a people."