The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-13
BENEVOLENCE
 OF THE CAR Issues Decree of Far
 Reaching Effect. FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION Self-G0vernment in Part for
 the Villages. Declares That in Taking the Step He is But Carrying Out the Policy and Wishes of His Ancestors.
FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION

St. Petersburg. March 12.-The Csar has issued decree providing for free- dom of religion throughout his dominions. establishing to some degree local self government and making other conces- sions 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 who profess non-orthodox breeds and to improve the conditions of village life and those of 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 ex- amined by representatives of the different localities concerned with the view of eff fecting the necessary amendments.
 Measures are also to be taken to re- lieve the peasantry of the burdens of forced labor.
 The decree, which was Issued in com memoration of the anniversary Of the birthday of Alexander III. is considered to be the most significant act of state since the emancipation of the serfs. The public halls 1t as the proclamation of a new era, opening up bright prospects of the early improvement of Russian inter nal administration.
 Text of the Decree.
 The text of the decree Is as follows:
 "On ascending the throne of our ances- tors, by the providence of God, we made a solemn VOW before the Almighty and our conscience to sacredly guard the centu- ries old pillars of Russian power and to dedicatcf our nfe to the service of our beloved fatherland In indefatigable solici- tude for our subjects.
 We chose, in order to assure the well being of our people, the way indicated by the memoI able deeds of our predeces- sors. especially 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 com pleting the consolidation of order 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 for eign 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 pro- ductive labor, and often ruin families dear to our heart and young energies among high and low. necessary to the in- ternal development of country. Indemn- L., ha f,IA of yUiIl while remaining strongly opposed to any violation of the normal course of national life and having confidence that all will discharge their local duties, we are ir- revocably decided to satisfy the needs for which the State has become ripe and have deemed it expedient to strengthen and decree the undv1ating observance of the principles of tolerance laid down by the fundamental laws of the Russian Elm pire, which. recognizing the orthodox church as the ruling one. to grant all of our subjects of other religions and to all foreign persuasions, freedom of creed and worship in accordance with their rights, and we are further resolved to continue active, carrying out of meas ures for the improvement of the material position of the orthodox clergy, while en- abling them to take larger share in pub lie life.
 Tn accordance with impending meas ures for the consolidation of the national economy the efforts of the State creed institutions and especially the nobles and peasants ranks should be directed to strengthening and developing the vel fare and fundamental 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 form1- lated. to be referred to the provincial gov ernment councils, so that, with the as- sis tance of persons enjoying the public s confidence, they may be further devel- oped and adapted to the special condi- tions of individual localities. In these works. the fundamental principles of the inviolability of communal property are to be maintained while at the same time means are to be found to render 1t easier for the individual to sever connections with the community to which he belongs If he so desires.
 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 admnistra tions by the local representa- lives, Wnlle attenLlpH VIII De IcNOleu IO securing closer co-oparation between the communal authorities and parochial trus- tees of the orthodox churches wherever possible.
 Calling upon all our subjects to coop crate in strengthening the moral founda- tions of family. school and public life, under which alone the well being of the people and the confidence of every one in the stability of his rights can develop. we command our ministers and the chief of- ficiaIs concerned in this matter to submit to us their views regarding the execution Of our intentions"
 The extension of self-government to the smaller communities corresponding with tho township organizations of the United States is regarded as A great victory for the district and provincial assemblies while the retention of the communal sys. tenn with greater freedom of withdrawal theerefrom meets the wishes of the pea. sans and land owners. expressed through their local committees on agricultural de- precision
 The Czar's desire for the cooperation of the educated public closely follows the