IL Stolypin's anxiously awaited declaration of policy was made before
the Duna. on Tuesday, and will be hailed with satisfaction by all the well-wishers of Russia. The legislative programme which he announced is far-reaching, and justifies his significant statement that "Russia must be transformed into a Constitutional State." To begin with, all so-called exceptional laws are to be essentially modified, and "adminis- trative exile" is to be abolished altogether,—an epoch-marking reform. Again, while the supremacy of the Orthodox Church is explicitly laid down, M. Stolypin declares that such paramountcy must not violate the rights of other religions. After indicating various reforms in the Zemstvo system, the Prime Minister stated that henceforth Justices of the Peace would be elected by the local population. Other extensive judicial reforms are also promised. H. Stolypin further announced that education was to be made free and, in primary schools, compulsory. He recognised that the Budget claimed the Duma's immediate attention, and stated that to meet the demands created by recent and impending changes it was proposed to levy an Income-tax. The debate which followed the Prime Minister's statement was chiefly taken up by violent mutual recriminations between the extremists, but the Constitutional Democrats and the Left bloc passed the Order of the Day by an overwhelming majority. It is noticed that, though H. Stolypin's statement was listened to in silence by the Opposition, they applauded his reply at the close of the debate, an omen which goes far to justify the verdict of the Times correspondent "It has been a good day for the Duma and a good day for the Government."
