RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13240, 21 March 1907, Page 5

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

A REMARKABI.E DKC-LAUATIOX. STARTLTXIt LIST OF REFORMS. United Press Association—Per Electric Te-legrapb—Copyright. ST. PETERSBURG, March 20. M. Stolypin, the Premier, made a remarkable declaration in the Duma. lie said that- Russia must, be transformed into a constitutional State, and that the. Government had prepared a. network of interrelated reforms, including an extension of local government, and the recognition of the workers' right- to declare economic strikers: also workmen's insurance, old age pensions, and shorter hours-. » : Tha announcement was." cheered by members of the.'Might, and received in silence by the Xeft. "The Bills will ba discussed after the passage of Iheßndget. Nothing was said ■ a,bout a responsible Ministry or amnesty. The . Social Democrats violently, contrasted these fair promises, with the recent performances. . M. Stolypin declared that it was not the Duma's function to express confidence in the Government or to censure it. .Members of the Right appealed to the. Duma to co-operate with M. Stolypin, and prevent the repression of the Constitutional Democrats. A resolution to proceed to business .was carried bv a large majority. 1 Dl VT7I OF C'OUXT LAMSDORFF. LONDON. March 20. . The dentil is reported of Count Lamsdo'ff. »_ A, message yesterday stated that, an attempt was made in St. 'Petersburg to poison Count Lamsdorff, who was at San Rcino m a. critical state.