Petrograd, Feb. 23.
The Duma opened to-day after a thanksgiving service for the fall of Erzeroum in the presence of the Tsar whose entrance into the House of Assembly was greeted with loud hurrahs, the members singing the National Anthem, After the departure of the Tsar, the President of the Duma read an Ukase reopening the 95- sion.
An ovation was accorded the diplomatic representatives of the Allies.
The President of the Council of Ministers called on the Duma to work for the common cause and not to allow internal disagreements to weaken the moral strength of the people, on whose patriotism the Government counted.
Sassanoff, Minister for Foreign Affairs, in a long speech on the political situation, referred in warm terms to the participation in the war of Japan, whose valuable help was one of the characteristics of the relations existing between Russia and Japan.
"Japan's signature of the Declaration of London not to conclude a separate peace confirms our determination to carry through the wat to a successful issue. The recent visit of Grand Duke Michaelovitch to Japan gave fresh evidence of the mutual sympathy between the two countries and resulted in further strengthening of the bonds. Relations between Rarsia and Japan are united to safeguard our mutual interests from the common danger. Both countries recognize that German influence in China endangers the peace of the Far Referring to the situation in China the Minister for Foreign fairs said that the Russian Government maintained the principle of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.