RUSSIAN POLITICS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13336, 27 March 1911, Page 5

RUSSIAN POLITICS.

THE CZAR’S PREROGATIVE. Resignation of Octoberists, Frees Association.—Telegraph.—Copyright. Received March 27, 8.5.a.m. ST. PETERSBURG, March 26. The sittings of both Houses have been suspended, enabling the Czar, under paragraph 87 of the fundamental laws, to exercise, his prerogative to pass the Zemstvo Bill for the western provinces, subject to future appendment by the legislation. At a meeting of Octoberists, M. Gutchscff announced his resignation of the Presidency of the Duma. All Octoberist members threaten to resign. STOLYPIN’S PRESTIGE. Received March 27, 8.30 a.m. . ST. PETERSBURG, March 26 There are indications^that, owing’ to the Czar’S exercise of./Jiis prerogative. Count Stolypin’s power and prestige wil 1 be unlimited.

Peter Arkahcvich Stolypin was born in 1863, ami is thus only 48 years of ago. Tho son of a popular,general, ho had a brilliant career at the University of St. Petersburg, and, after graduating in 1884, obtained. an appointment at the Ministry of the Interior. After two years he was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture, where he remained another two years, then retiring for a time into private life, and devoting himself to the management of his estate in Kovno Government. He served as Marshal of the District Nobility, President of tho Arbitration Board, and Justice of the Peace, and in 1899 became Marshal of the Provincial Nobility. He was appointed ViceGovernor of Grodno in 1902, Governor of Sartoff in 1903, and .from Saratoff he was called to St. Petersburg, to take up the portfolio of tho Interior. He was one, of the few Ministers to whom the Duma was ready to listen. When M. Goremykin resigned in 1906, M. Stolypin succeeded him as Premier, and was thanked by the Tsar for his services, and appointed a member of the Council of the Empire on January 13, 1907.' In 1908 he was given the, rank of State Secretary. His life has several times been attempted. M. Stolypin’s policy has boon the subject of the keenest controversy. Ho was severely criticised for the part he played in the suppression of the Duma. His moderate policy has had the effect of preserving something of the Constitution, which still constitutes the main hope of a Russian democracy.

Ecceivod March 27, 2.5 p.m. ST. PETERSBURG. March 26. Tho Octoberists consider tho application of paragraph 87 to bo a coup d’etat, inasmuch as the measure was not urgent.