Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1906 — RUSSIAN DOUMA OPENED BY CZAR [ARTICLE]

RUSSIAN DOUMA OPENED BY CZAR

Speech from the Throne Delivered in Winter Palace. IT IS CONCILIATORY IN TONE Streets and Palace Strongly Guarded by Thousands of Soldiers. Everybody, Even Members of th Parliament, Closely Watched— Imperial Party Heartily Cheered. St Petersburg, May 10.—The first session-of the modern Russian legislative assembly, bora amid the throes of terrorism, anarchy and revolution, was opened at noon by Emperor Nicholas. Pomp and ceremony of the most impressive kind marked the occasion, which ushers in the dawn of liberty for die autocracy cursed, enslaved millions of Russia’s masses. From a great golden throne in the winter palace, the czar, clad in gorgeous robes of state and surrounded by his relatives, his ministers, counsellors and the chief officers of his army and navy in glittering uniforms, addressed the members oi’ the domna assembled before nim.

Everybody Closely Watched. Cordons of soldiers with menacing bayonets, supplemented with Gatling guns, surrounded the building. Every corridor and chamber of the building swarmed with soldiers and secret police. Every member of the douma, even, was under the watchful eye of a member of the secret service. No one wns trusted —all were watched. Men wen- arrested by hundreds all over the city on the least suspicion and thrown into jail. Troops tilled all the principal streets. Alt shops and factories were closed and workingmen were prevented, from assembling anywhere in the city. Gatherings of people on the streets were promptly dispersed and all loiterers arrested or driven to their homes. Hundreds of well known revolutionists and leaders of the workingmen were arrested in order to prevent the carrying out of any assassination plot. Emperor Arrives in Yacht. The emperor came to St. Petersburg in ids yaclit. which dropped anchor in the broad -reach of tile River Neva,1 let ween the fortress of Peter the (treat ami the palace on the opposite bank, as the fortress guns roared the imperial salute. The emiK't'or and the- members of the imperial family were brought ashore in twelve-oared state Uirges. After lunching they were robed for the formal pageant of tin- reception of the national parliament and the speech from the throne. The emperor, ministers, couriers, and high military and naval officials, accompanied by the scepter, crown, and other insignia of state, marched in procession to the great hall of St. George, where tho members of tire assembly and council of the empire awaited them. Speech from ihe Throne. After an imposing religious service, celebrated hv the primate of the Russian flu roll, Antonins. Emperor Nicholas delivered the address from the throne. The tone of the speech was conciliatory. It expressed the emperor’s wish that relief be given to the peasants in their present unfortunate condition and called on the members of parliament to put their hearts into their work and to co-oi>erate with him In solving the present problems of Russia ami in handing (town a united and prosperous empire to liis successor. Cheers for Ihe Czar. The emperor and the empress after leaving the palace entered a launch, jwissed down the river, boarded tho Impijrlal yacht Alexandra and returned to PeteThof. The crowds on the hanks of the river and islands heartily cheered the Imperial jmrty. There was no other incident. The members of the lower house of parliament after the ceremonies at the palace embarked on steamers and went up the river, landing at the Tauride palace, where the house will assemble.