RUSSIA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8375, 8 March 1907, Page 5

RUSSIA.

DEFENCE OF PORT ARTHUR,

Received March 7, 8.58 a.m.

m ST. PETERSBURG, March 6. General Smirnoff has sent the Czar a •vsecret report accusing General Stoesisel of cowardice, favouritism, and in- • capacity at Port Arthur.

THE DUMA.

Received March 7, 9.58 a.m ST. PETERSBURG, March 6. The Right Party comprises onefifth of the Duma, and the Opposition four-fifths.

While the Right indulged in demonstrations of at the opening of the Duma, the Left and Centre remained persistently silent. It is reported that a law has already been drafted restricting the •suffrages, and reducing the Duma to a consultative assembly. M. Golopin warned the Left to exercise prudence, and not to obstruct the Moderates' proposals to the extent of involving another dissolution, adding that it was the Duma's duty to carry out the political reforms outlined in the Czar's manifesto of October 30th. (The Czar's manifesto of October - 30 th, promising inviolability of the person, and freedom of conscience, speech, union, and association, has become the rallying ground of the Moderates.) l Received March 7, 9.28 p.m. ST. PETERSBURG, March 7. Of the Duma's 458 members 442 •are new members. *M. Golopin, President of the Duma, is a sound business man. The Czar, in the course of an inter--view with M. Golopin, expressed .satisfaction at the opening of the second Duma. He stated that its task would be all the more difficult owing to the .numerous parties it included. Received March 7, 10.20 p.m. ST. PETERSBURG, March 7. M. Golopin, replying to the Czar, expressed a hope that the most divergent parties would unite and harmoniously strive to promote one common •object, viz., the country's welfare. The Czar alluded to numerous Ministerial Bills about to be submitted and trusted that the Duma would begin legislative work. M. Golopin replied that the members were fully determined to justify their Sovereign's confidence. The Czar was most gracious throughout the audience. M. Golopin was subsequently presented to the Czaritza. ' BOMB OUTRAGE. Received March 7, 9.28 p.m. ST. PETERSBURG, March 7. While General Nepluueff, Commandant of Sebastopol, was out driving in the town a bomb was thrown, and shattered his carriage. The General was injured in the .feet.