The Indianapolis journal., 1903-03-13
Freedom of Religion Established by
the Car and other Concessions
Granted to His Subjects.
LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT
TO BE EXTENDED TO THE SMALLER
COMMUNITIES OF THE EMPIRE.
Peasants to BE Released from the
Present Burdensome Liability
of Forced Labor.

OF rellslon throughout his dOmlnlOnS, eS-
tablishing to some degree local self-govern-
ment and making other concessions to the
village committees. After referring to the
efforts Of his predecessors, particularly his
father, to the welfare of the Russian peo-
pie, the Car announces his decision to
grant freedom of religion to all his subjects
who profess non-orthodox creeds and to
improve the conditions of village life and
those of the local nobility and peasantry.
Among the measures outlined by the Car
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 amendments. Measures are also to be
taken to relieve the peasantry of the bur-
dens of forced labor
The decree, which was issued In COM
memoration of the anniversary of the birth
day Of Alexander III, is considered to be the
most significant act of state since the
emancipation of the serfs. The public halls
it as the proclamation of a new era, open
ing up bright prospects of the early i'm
provement of Russian internal administra-
tion. The text of the decree follows:
'On ascending the throne of our ances-
tors, by the providence of God, We made
solemn VOW before the Almighty and our
conscience to sacredly 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 our SUBJ
Jects. We chose, in order to assure the we'll
being of our people, the way indicated by
no nf
especially our never-to- be- forgotten father.
God pleased to interrupt the deeds of our
father by his early death and thus laid on
solidation of order and truth begun by
him in conformity with the exigencies Of
national 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 well-being of our people.
These troubles confuse the public mind, re-
move 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. In demanding the fulfillment
of this, our will, while remaining strongly
opposed to any violation of the normal
course of national life and having conf
dence that all will Loyalty discharge their
local duties, we are irrevocably decided to
satisfy the needs for which the state has
to strengthen and decree the undertaking
observance of the principles of tolerance
laid down by the fundamental laws of the
Russian empire, which, recognizing the or
thodox church as the ruling one, to grant
to all of our subjects of other religions and
to all foreign perSuaSiOnS freedom of creed
and worship in accordance with other rites.
and We are further resolved to continue the
active carrying out of measures for the i'm
provement of the material position Of the
orthodox rule clergy. while enabling them
fax Sharo in inf al and
public life.
"In accordance with impending measures
for the consolidation of the national econ
omy the efforts of the state credit institu-
tions, and especially the mobiles and peas
ants banks should be directed to strength
enfng and developing the welfare and fun
damental pillars of Russian village life and
that of the local nobility and peasantry.
These principles marked out by us for the
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
public's confidence they may be further
developed and adapted to the special condi-
tions of individual localities In this work
the fundamental principle of the inviola-
bility of communal property is to be main
tained. while at the same time means are
to be found to render 1t easier for the indi-
munity to which he belongs, If he so de-
sires.
burdensome liability of forced labor. Thor
ough reform is to be effected In the pro-
vincial governments 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 i'm strengthening the moral foundation
of family. school and public life, under
which alone the well-being of the people,
q Il - -
bility his rights can develop, we command
our ministers and chief officials concerned
in this matter to submit to us their views
regarding the execution of our intentions:
Although the Jewish faith is not speci1-
cally mentioned in the Cars decree, 1t is
believed the liberty granted TO 'all creeds''
is intended to include the Jews.
The extension of self-government to the
smaller communities corresponding with
the towns of the United States is regarded
as great victory for the district and
provincial assemblies. while the retention
of the communal system with greater free
dom of withdrawal therefrom meets the
wishes of the peasants and land owners
expressed through their local committees
on agricultural depression. The Cars de-
sire for the cooperation Of the educated
people closely follows the action of Alex
ander III at the time of the emancipation
movement.
The publication of the Cars decree has
produced a universal feeling of joyful ex-
| citement and tonight Is the chief topic
| of conversation In every public place. II
| is generally attributed to the Cars earn
est desire to remove the causes which re-
| Gently produced such deplorable outbreaks
among the workmen and students. Fears
| however. are expressed that the powerful
| party of reaction, led by the minister OF
| the interior. Plehve. may delay or frus-
| trate the realization of the Cars aspra-
| tions. but great hopes are based on the
| known fact that Finance Minister Witte 1:
/ a strong advocate of whatever reforms he
considers the country ripe for. In any
case months must elapse before the pro-
| jected reforms can be put into execution
1t Is understood that the Cars desire
| to modify the laws by relaxing the penal
| ties against dissenters like the Stundists
| but that attempt Will be made to re-
| peal the law compelling children To bt
| brought up in the orthodox church unles:
| both parents belong to some other demon
| ination. One of the most welcome re-
forms outlined is that enabling the sobe,
| cape from the joint responsibility for ar
rears of taxation incurred by intemperat,
| and lazy fellow-villagers. Many othel
| abuses of the communal system which
pressed heavily on the peasantry will be re
/ moved.
The paragraph in the decree proposing I,
/ refer the reforms TO the provincial govern
pointing in the direction of constitutions
| government. 1t is conjectured that tn,
| Car is willing TO enlarge the spheres of tn,
1 Zemstvos (the elective district assemblies
| by permitting them to deliberate on mat
/ ters of local administration. In this con
nection. however, IL must be remembered
| that even last year Minister of Intcrio
| Plehve strongly resented and In some case
punished those invited to governmental
fare " IN u ~ -,