The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-03-17

SSS'cS 10 Nonsiccreo Sne MOST Sig
nifieant Act of State Since the
Emancipation of the Serfs, and Pub
lie Halls It AS Start Of New Era.
St Petersburg. March l3-The Car
has issued "a decree providing for free
dom of religion throughout his domin-
ions. establishing to some degree local
self government 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 Gar announces his decis-
ion TO grant freedom of religion TO ali
his subjects who profess non-orthodox
crceds 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 admins
tration in the various governments
and districts is to be examined by rep.
resentatives of the different localities
concerned, with the view of efecting
the necessary amendments.
This is the text of the decree:
"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
well being OF our people, the way indi-
Gated by the memorable deeds of our
/ predecessors. especially our never-to-
/ be-forgotten father.
The troubles agitating our country.
which. TO our deep regret, have partly
been sown by designs hostile TO the
state. and partly engendered by doc
trines foreign to 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
ari young energies among high and
low. necessary to the internal devel.
opment of the country.
"ln demanding the fulfllment of this
our will, while remaining strongly op-
/ posed to any violation OF the normal
course of national life and having con-
fidence that all will Loyalty discharge
their local duties. we are irrevocably
decided to satisfy the needs for which
the state has become ripe and have
deemed it eNpedient 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
Orthodox Church as the ruling one.
grant TO all our subjects of other reli-
gions and to all foreign persuasions
freedom of creed and worship in ac-
cordance with other rites.
Thorough reform is TO be effected
in the provincial governments and dis
trict administrations by the local rep
resentatives. while attention will be
devoted to securing closer cooperation
between the communal authorities and
parochial trustees of the Orthodox
Churches wherever possible"
He expresses desire to better the
condition of the moral clergy and to
strengthen the mobiles and peasants
ranks; also to relieve the peasants of
the liability of forced labor.
Although the Jewish faith is not
specifically mentioned in the Cars de-
cree. it is believed that the liberty
granted 20 all creeds" is intended to
include the Jews.
The decree, which was issued in
} commemoration of the anniversary OF
the birthday of Alexander Ill. is con
sidered to be the most significant act
of state since the emancipation OF the
serfs. The public halls It as the pro
clamation of new era, opening up
bright prospects of the early improve
ment of. Russian internal administra-
| ton