The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-13
VAST REFORM
IN RUSSIA
Gar DEGREES Religious Free
dom and Partial Local
SelfGoYernment.

ST. PETERSBURG, March 12.-The
czar has issued q decree providing for
freedom Of religion throughout his do
minions, establishing to some degree
local elf-gOvernment and making 9TH
er concessions to the village commit
tees.
After referring to the efforts of his
predecessors, particularly his father, to
add to the. welfare of the Russian peo-
pie, the car announces his decision to
grant freedom of religion to all his sub
jects who profess n-orthodoX creeds
and to improve the condition of village
life and those Of the local nobility and
peaSantry.
Among the measures outlined by the
czar for the attainment of these ends
in reform of the rural laws, which is to
be effected with the advice of persons
who possess the confidence OF the peo-
pie. The system of administration in
the various governments and districts
is to be examined by representatives of
the different localities concerned with
the view of effecting the necessary
amendments. Measures are also to be
taken to relieve the peasantry Of the
burdens of forced labor.
The decree, which was issued in
commemOratiOn of the anniversary of
the birthday Of Alexander III, is con-
sidered to be the most significant act
of state since the emancipation of the
serfs. The public halls it as the proc
lamation of new era, opening up
bright prospects of the early improve
ment of Russian internal administra-
ton.
Although the Jewish faith is not
specifically mentioned in the decree, it
is believed that the liberty granted to
AL creeds" in Intended to include the
Jews.
The evfapSio,o of ea1P c,o1.a,.,,,,,o,,+ -.
the smaller communities, correspond
ing with the township organizations of
the United States, is regarded as a
great victory for the district and pro-
vincial assemblies, while the retention
of the communal system with greater
freedom of withdrawal therefrom meets
the wishes of the peasants and land
| owners, expressed through their local
committees on agricultural depression.
The czar's expressed desire for the CO.
operation of the educated public close
ly follows the action of Alexander II.
at the time of the emancipati ton move
ment.
The publication of the decree has
produced universal feeling of joyful
| excitement, and it is tonight the chief
| topic of conversation in every public
| resort. 1t is generally attributed to the
| emperors earnest desire to remove the
causes which recently produced such
deplorable outbreaks among the work.
| men and students. Fears, however, are
| expressed that the powerful party of
reaction, led by Minister of the Interior
PlehWe, may delay Or Illustrate the
realization of the czar's aspirations, but
great hopes are based on the known
fact that Finance Minister Witte is a
strong advocate of whatever reforms
he considers the country ripe for. In
any case, months must elapse before
| the projected reforms can be put into
| execution.
1t is understood that the czar desires
to modify the laws by relaxing the
! penalties against dissenters like the
Stundists, but that no attempt will be
made to repeal the law compelling
| children to be brought up in the ortho-
| dox church unless both parents belong
to some other denomination.
One of the most welcome reforms
outlined is that enabling the sober and