Ambassador Meyer to the Secretary of State.
St. Petersburg, December 31, 1906.
Sir: I beg leave to report that in a conversation with Baron Gunz-burg I learned to-day that it was definitely known that the Emperor had decided not to affix his signature to the bill presented by Stolypin granting certain privileges to the Jews, referred to in my dispatch of December 1, No. 705, namely:
[Page 1314]The removal of the restrictive police regulations in twenty-five governments lying within Jewish pale; the promulgation of similar arrangements for Jews outside the pale; and the removal of the restrictions under which Jews labor regarding trade.
It is understood that the Tsar stated that as the Douma was to meet within a few weeks it was better and wiser that no new legislation should be promulgated.
Ever since this bill has been laid before the Emperor by the prime minister the reactionists have been active in their efforts to prevent the same becoming a law. It is felt that the attempt on Dubassoff’s life and the assassination of Count Ignatieff have assisted the opponents to the bill in affecting the Emperor’s decision.
It is believed by many that the Emperor is not necessarily opposed to this legislation, but on a matter which affects so many people throughout the Empire he prefers action should be taken by the Douma.
I have, etc.,