Ambassador Meyer to the Secretary of State .
St. Petersburg , May 11, 1906.
Sir: I have the honor to report that yesterday, after a prolonged religious ceremony, the Douma was called to order in the Tauride Palace at 5 p.m.
Mr. Frisch, of the Council of the Empire, who had been specially commissioned by the Emperor to open the Douma, took the chair. Baron Gildenbrandt then read the imperial ukase authorizing the opening of the Douma. About 450 deputies were present. A short address was made by the temporary chairman, in which he congratulated the members upon assembling and hoped that in promulgating laws for the advancement of the Empire they would work conjointly with the upper house and that their labors would result in legislation beneficial to the nation.
Instead of the oath, a promise of allegiance, to be signed in writing, was prescribed. All the members signed, with the exception of a few illiterate peasants, who subscribed by proxy.
The only real candidate for president of the assembly was Professor Muromtsoff, of Moscow, a man of high principles, excellent reputation, and a moderate among the constitutional Democrats. Pie was elected almost unanimously.
Contrary to all customs in parliamentary bodies, the newly elected chairman, before delivering his speech of acceptance, permitted Mr. Ivan Petrunkevich to address the house. The members of the Douma do not speak from their seats or the floor, but from a raised rostrum directly in front of the president. The general tone of Mr. Petrunkevich’s speech was revolutionary. He emphasized the point that the first thoughts at the first assembly of the representatives of the people should be for those who have sacrificed their freedom for their country. All the prisons are filled, freedom must have no victims.”
These words aroused the assembly to great applause and enthusiasm.
M. Muromtsoff next thanked the house for the honor conferred upon him, stating that the will of the nation had at last been recognized and would now make itself heard. By the terms of the law he would have to make a report to the Emperor of his election as president. That he understood that it was the sense of the meeting, although [Page 1260] no action could be taken at the first session, that the Douma demanded three things—a constitutional monarchy, a right of initiative in legislation, and amnesty for all political prisoners. This announcement was made from the chair without any debate other than the one speech made by Petrunkevich, or any vote.
At the suggestion of the chair, the next session was to be held on Saturday, the members voting before adjourning that the meeting be called at 11 a.m.
I have, etc.,