The forces of reaction have again gained the upper band
in Russia. On Friday week M. Stolypin, on the strength of information obtained by the secret police implicating the Social Democrats in attempts to undermine the loyalty of the troops, demanded of the Dams the suspension of practically the entire party, declaring that otherwise he could not be responsible for the maintenance of publics order and safety.
Sixteen, be insisted, must be immediately arrested, and the Duma must authorise the indictment of fifty-fiva—At the moment of our going to press twenty-eight Deputies have actually been arrested.—On M. Stolypin'a departure the Duma proceeded to discuss the situation, and after a stormy debate it was resolved by an immense majority, on the Motion of the Constitutional Democrats, to refer the question of the suspension of the fifty-five Social Democrats to a Committee which was then and there elected. The Council of Ministers met on Saturday evening at M. Stolypin's country house, and it was not till after midnight that the fatal vote was taken. M. Stelypin and two other Ministers are said to have been in favour of granting the Duma's Committee tiro days delay, but in the end they capitulated to the majority, and the Premier, hastening to Peterhof, reported the decision to the Emperor, who at once signed a Ukase, dated 2 a.m., June 16th, dissolving the second Duma, and fixing new elections for September 14th, and the assembly of the new Duma for November 14th.
