Friday's Times contained a circular by H. Stolypin in which
he expounds to the provincial authorities his views on the conduct of the elections. There is to be no interference in party strife or pressure put upon voters. He deities the rumour that the Duma has been summoned merely for the purpose of dissolving it. The old order of things has been condemned by the Sovereign, and the Government, while adhering to the existing law, will treat with all respect the Dimas rights within the domains of legislation, the Bridget, and interpellation. The Premier then expounds his policy, of which the chief items are the introduction of local self- government, the improvement of the Judiciary and the Executive, and certain agrarian, labour, and educational reforms. Finally, he reminds the coining Duma that it must co-operate with the Government before the vast trans- formation which he foreshadows can be effected. M. Stolypiu's circular has the merit of recognising the importance of the Duma and its right of initiative in legislation. So far it is satisfactory ; but it is a pity that, while the Premier has such excellent views on the freedom of elections, he should be unable to restrain his subordinates from many acts of captions inter- ference, such as the disfranchisement of M. Miliukoff.
