The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-03-12
Great REFORMS.
Car of Russia Commentaries
Birthday of Alexander III
By Proclaiming Freedom of Re-
ligiOn in the Empire.
OTHER CONCESSIONS.
Local Self Government Is Pro-
vided For.
Most Significant Act Since
Emancipation of Serfs.

st. Petersburg, March 12.-The czar
has issued a decree providing for free
dom of religion throughout his domin-
ions. establishing to some degree local
self-government and making other CON
eessions 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 decision to grant
freedom of religion to all his subjects
who profess nonorthodox creeds. and TO
improve the conditions of village life
and those of the local nobility and peas
antry. 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 per-
sons who possess the confidence of the
people. 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 amendments.
Measures are also to be taken to relieve
the peasantry of the burdens of forced
Ia Dor.
The decree. which was issued in. com
memoration of the anniversary of the
birthday of Alexander III is considered
10 be the most significant act of state
since the emancipation of the serfs. The
public halls it as the proclamation of a
new era, opening up bright prospects of
the early Improvement of Russian inter
nal administration.
The text of the decree is as follows::
ON ascending the throne of our an
eestors by the providence of God, We
made a cOlenn 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 Fatherland in indefatig
able SOlcltude for our subjects. We
chose in order to assure the we'll being
of our people, the way indicated by the
memorable deeds OF orr predecessors es-
peclally 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 sa-
cred duty Of completing the
gun by him in conformity with the ex-
igencies of national life. The troubles
agitating our country, which TO our
deep regret have partly been sown by
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 remove the people from
productive labor, and often ruin fam
lies dear to our heart and young ener-
gies among high and low necessary to
the internal development of the c0un-
try. In demanding the fulhllment of
this our will. while remaining strong
| ly opposed to any violation of the nor
NAL course of national life and having
confidence that all win Loyalty dis
charge their local duties, we are ire
vocabIv decided to satisfy the needs
for which the state has become ripe and
have deemed it expedient to strengthen
and decree the undertaking observance
of the principles of tolerance laid down
/ by the fundamental laws of the Rus
sian empire which, recognizing the or
| thodox chuFch as the ruling one, to
grant to all of our subjects of other
religion and to all foreign persuasions
| freedom of creed and worship in ac-
| cordance with other rights and we are
further resolved to continue the active
carrying out Of measures for the inn
! provement Of the material position Of
the orthodox rule clergy while enabling
them to take a larger share IN intellect
ual and public life
1 I'm accordance with impending meas
ures for the consolidation of the national
/ economy, the efforts OF the state credlt
/ institutions and especially the mobiles and
/ peasants banks should be directed to
| strengthening and developing the welfare
and fundamental pillars Of Russian village
i life and that of the local nobility and peas
antry. These principles marked ont by Us
for the revision of the laws of the rural
4 population are. when formulated, to be re-
! ferred to the provincial government eoun-
/ ellis. so that with the assistance Of per-
sons enjoying the pubiic's confidence they
may be further developed and adapted TO
the special conditions of individual locali-
| ties. In this work the fundamental prin-
/ clpIe of the inviolability Of comnunat
/ property is to be maintained while at the
same time means are to be found TO rendef
/ it easier for the individual to sever con
/ nections with the community to which he
/ belongs. if he so desires
Without delay measures must be taken
to release the peasants from the present
i burdensome liability of forced labor.
s'Thorough reform is to be effected in the
/ provincial governments and district adj
/ Trinistrations by the local representative
/ while attention will be devoted to securing
closer cooperation between the communal
authorities and parochial trustees OF the
-rv~t 7o1 wherever
.sCaIline npon all our subjects to CO.
/ operate in strengthening the moral fonn-
dations of family. school and public life,
I under which alone the Wellbeing Of the
people and the confidence of everyone in
/ the stability of his rights can develop. we
command our ministers and chief officials
to submit us their views regarding the eX-
ecution of our Intentions
Although the Jewish faith is not spe-
cifcaliy mentioned in the czar's decree. it
is believed that the liberty granted to all
creeds is intended to include the Jews.