Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-12
Czar Issues Decree of Momen-
tls Effect.
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
PARTIAL LOCAL SELF-GOVERN-
MENT OF VILLAGES.
Other Measures Intended to Improve
the Condition of the Rural
Population.

ST. PETERSBURG, March 12.-The czar
has issued a decree providing for freedom
of religion throughout his dominions, es-
tablishing to some degree local self-govern-
ment and making other concessions to the
village committees.
After referring to the efforts Of his pre-
decessors, particularly his father, to add
to the welfare Of the Russian people, the
czar announces his decision to grant free
dom of religion to all his subjects who pro-
fess non-orthodox creeds, and to improve
the conditions of village life and those Oh
the local nobility and peasantry.
Among the measures outlined by the czar
for the attainment Of these ends is reform
Of the rural laws, which is to be effected
with the advice of persons who possess the
confidence of the people. The system Of
administration in the various governments
and districts is to be examined by repre-
sentatives of the different localities con-
cerned, with the view Of effecting the neces-
sary amendment.
Measures are also to be taken to relieve
the peasantry of the burdens Of forced
labor.
oration of the anniversary Of the birthday
of Alexander III, is considered to be the
most significant act Of state since the eman-
cipation of the serfs. The public halls 1t
as the proclamation of new era. opening
up bright prospects of the early improve
ment Of Russian internal administration
Text of the Decree.
The text of the decree is as follows:
"On ascending the throne of our ancestors
by the Providence of God we made SOL
emn VOW before the Almighty and our con-
science to sacredly guard the centuries-old
pillars of Russian power and to dedicate
our life to the service of our beloved
fatherland in indefatlgaoie soncltuoe ior
our subjects. .
I'VE chose, in order to assure the we'll
being of our people, the way indicated by
the memorable deeds of our predecessors
esnecially our never-to- be-forgotten father.
God pleased to interrupt the deeds OF our
father by his early death, and thus laid on
us the sacred duty of completing the con-
solidation of order and truth begun py MIN
in conformity with the eXigencies OF ma
tionaI life. The troubles agitating our
country, which, to our deep regret, have
partly been sown by designs hostile TO the
state and partly engendered by doctrines
foreign to Russian life, hinder the general
work of ameliorating the weil-being or our
people These troubles confuse the public
mind remove the people from productive
labor, and often ruin families dear TO our
heart and young energies, among high and
low necessary to the internal development
of the country.
Freedom in Religion Decreed.
.In demanding the fulfllment of this our
will, while remaining strongly opposed to
any violation of the normal course of nat
ural life and having confidence that all will
lovally discharge their local duties, We are
irrevocably decided to satisfy the needs for
which the state has become ripe, and have
deemed it expedient to strengthen and de-
cree the undertaking observance or the
principles of tolerance laid down py the
fundamental avs of the Russian empire
which recognizing the orthodox church as
the ruling one, grant to all our subjects OF
other religions and to all foreign perSud-
sions freedom of creed and worship IN ac-
cordance with other rites, and we are fur-
tner resolved to continue the active carry
ing out of measures for the Improvement
of the material position of the orthodox
rural clergy, while enabling them 10 take
larger share in intellectual and public life
I'm accordance with impending measures
for the consolidation of the national econ
omy the efforts of the state credit 1nsatu-
tions and especially the mobiles and peas
ants banks, should be directed to strength
ening and developing the welfare and fun
damental pillars of Russian village life ana
that of the local nobility and peasantfy
revision of the laws of the rural population
are when formulated to be referred to the
provincial government councils, so that with
the assistance Of persons enjoying the pub
lies confidence they may be further devel-
oped and adapted to the special conditions
of individual localities.
I'm this work the fundamental principle OF
the inviolability of communal property is to
be maintained, while at the same time
means are to be found to render II easier Tor
the individual TO sever connections with the
community to which he belongs, if he SO
desires.
Peasants Released From Forced Labor.
"Without delay measures must be taken
TO release the peasants from the present
burdensome liability of forced labor.
Thorough reform is to be effected in the
provincial government and district admins
trations by the local representatives, while
attention will be devoted to securing closer
cooperation between the communal author
tiles and parochial trustees of the orthodox
churches wherever possible.
Calling upon all our subjects to cooper
ate in Strengthening the moral foundations
of family, school and public life, under
which alone the well-being of the people
and the confidence of every one In the sta
bility OF his rights can develop, we COM
mand our ministers and chief officials con-
cerned in this matter to submit to us their
views regarding the execution Of our inten-
tions."
Although the Jewish faith Is not specif,
cally mentioned in the cars decree. it is
believed that the liberty granted 10 ..aIl
ereeds' Is intended to include the Jews