Evening journal., 1903-03-13
CAR GRANTS
MANY REFORMS
DEGREES Religious Liberty
Throughout His Domipions
and Local Self Government
ISSUED AS A BIRTHDAY GIFT

81. Petersburg. March 13-The Czar
has issued decree providing for free
dom of religion throughout his domin-I
ions. establishing to some degree local
selfgovernment and making other
concessions TO the village committees
After referring to the efforts OF his
predecessors. particularly his father,
to add to the welfare OF the Russian
people. the Czar announces his decis
ion to grant freedom Of religion TO all |
his subjects who profess non-orthodox |
creeds and to improve the conditions
of village life ana those Of the local
nobility and peasantry.
Among the measures outlined by
the Gar 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 admins
tration in the various governments
and districts IS TO be examined by rep
resentatives of the different localities
concerned, with the view of effecting
the necessary amendments.
/ 1Ulh Is lNt lCAl VI AhN AA'ANet
"On ascending the throne Of our
ancestors, by the providence Of God,
we made a solemn vow before the Al
| mighty, ana our conscience. to sacred
ly guard the centuries-old pillars Of
Russian power and to dedicate our life
to the service OF our beloved father
land in indefatigable solicitude for the
| ...at1 t,f,o 80 ot,r propIa fha tuov fndi.
Gated by the memorable deeds OF our
predecessors. especially our never-to-
be-forgotten father
"The troubles agltating our country,
which. 20 our deep regret, have partly
been sown by designs hostile TO the
state, and partly engendered by doc
trines foreign 10 Russian life, hinder
the general work of ameliorating the
! well-being of our people. These trou-
, bles confuse the public mind, remove
the people from productive labor, and
often ruin families dear TO our heart
ar1 young energies among high and
low. necessary to the internal deyel.
e opment of the country
e "In demanding the fulhllment OF this
? our will, while remaining strongly op
posed to any violation OF the normal
course OF national life and having con
fdence that all will Loyalty discharge
r their local duties. we are irrevocabl,
] decided to satisfy the needs for which
the state has become ripe and hav'
deemed Il expedient to strengthen ant
IN decree the undertaking observance o
III the principles OF tolerance laid dow
by the fundamental laws OF the Rus
sian empire which, recognizing tn
+" Orthodox Church as the ruling one
grant to all our subjects OF other reli
glons and TO all foreign persuasion
A. freedom Of creed and worship In ac
De- cordance with other rites.
D. Thorough reform IS to be effecteI
lt in the provincial governments and dis
a trict administrations by the local rer
as resentatives, while attention viii b
Of devoted 20 securing closer cooperation
ell between the communal authorities ant
OF parochial trustees Of the Orthodox
Churches wherever possible"
G Tfe expresses desire 10 better tn
i- condition OF the moral clergy and &
" strengthen the mobiles and peasants
Z ranks: also to relieve the peasants Q
y the liability OF forced labor.
~ Although the Jewish faith is nc
an specifically mentioned in the Czar's d'
"a cree. it is believed that the libert
i" granted 20 "all creeds" is intended {
4" include the Jews.
is The decree, which was issued
commemoration of the anniversary {
the birthday Of Alexander H., is col
sidered to be the most significant az
,o of state since the emancipation of n
Ia serfs. The public halls It as the pr
u clamation of a new era, opening U
,n bright prospects of the early improv
.. ment of Russian internal administr
,v tion.