The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-22

under the energetic leadership of Min ster Kerensky.
 Tn behalf of the Russian provisional government and in behalf of all the peo- pie Of new Russia said MT. Bakhmetieff, "l have been first of all sent here to express their gratitude to the government of the United States for the prompt rec ognition of the new political order in Russia.
 This noble action of the worlds great est democracy has afforded us strong moral support and has created among our people general feeling of profound appreciation.
 SITUATION CHANGED
 Close and active relationship between the two nations based upon complete and sincere understanding encountered in- evitable obstacles during the old regime because of it's very nature. The situation IS now radically changed, with free Rus sla starting a new era in her national life. The natural and deep feeling of sym pathy which always existed between the people of the two great nations will grow now, by the force of events, into sta- ble friendship-into permanent and ac- tive cooperation.
 T have been in this country hereto fore on several occasions; l have here many friends and have always looked forward to a close union and friendship between the United States and Russia. The United States with it's enormous nat ural resources and it's wonderful genius for organization, can now greatly aid m the work of reconstruction which is talk ing place in Russia.
 ANOTHER OBJECT
 Another object of our mission is to establish the most effective means bv which the American and Russian democ- racies can work hand in hand in the common task of successfully carving on the war.
 The provisional government is ac- tually mobilizing all its resources and is making great efforts to organize the country and the army for the purpose of conducting the war.
 The achievements of the revolution are to be formally set forth in fundamen- tai laws enacted by a constitutional as- sembly which is to be convoked as soon as possible
 New Russia received from the old government a burdensome heritage Of economic and technical disorganization which affected all branches of the life of the state, Reorganization which weighs yet heavily on the whole coun- try. The provisional government is doing everything in it's power to relieve the difficult situation.
 KERENSKY PRAISED
 The participation in the new govern ment by new members who are active and prominent leaders in the council of Workmen and soldiers has secured full support from the democratic masses The esteem in which such leaders as MT. kerensky and others are held among the working classes and soldiers is contribut- ing to the strength and stability of the new government.
 The constitutional-democ party. the labor party, the socalist-populists, and excepting a small group of extrem- ists, the social denocrats-all these par ties embracing the vast majority of the people, are represented by strong leaders in the new government, thereby securing for it authority. Firmly convinced that unity of power is essential and casting aside class and special interests all so- cial and political elements have joined in the national programme which the new government proclaimed and which it is striving to fulfill.
 RUSSIAN PROGRAMME
 This programme follows:
 The provisional government, rejecting in accord with the whole people of Rus sia. all thought of separate peace puts it openly as its deliberate purpose the premptest achievement of universal peace: Such peace to presume no do- mfnion over other nations, no seizure of their national property nor any forced usurpation of foreign territory; peace with no annexations or contributions, based upon the free determination by each nation of it's destnies.
 Being fully convinced that the es- tablishment of democratic principles in its internal and external policy has created a new faction in the striving of allied democracies for durable peace and fraternity of all nations-the pro- visional government will take prepara- tory steps for an agreement with the allies founded on it's declaration of March 27. The provisional government is conscious that the defeat of Russia and her allies would be the source of the greatest misery and would not only postpone but even make impossible the esta ablishment of universal peace on a firm basis. The provisional govern ment is convinced that the revolution- ary army of Russia will not allow the German troops to destroy our allies on the western front and then fall upon us with the whole might of their weapons. The chief aim of the pro- visional government will be to fortify the democratic foundations of the army and organize and consolidate the army's fighting power for it's defensive as well as offensive purposes.
 ALL EVENTS CONFIRM
 "The last decision of the Russian congress of the workingmens and sol diers' delegates, the decision of the All. Russian peasant congress, the decision of the Duma, the voice of the country as expressed from day to day by al- most the entire Russian press. in reso- lutions adopted at different conferences and congresses-all these confirm their full supportito this national programme and leave not the slightest doubt that Russia is decided as to the necessity to fight the German autocracy, until the conditions for a general and, stable peace in Europe are established.
 such decision is becoming more and more evident each day by practical work and results and shows itself in the pressing and rapid reorganization of the army, which is now being full filled under the firm and efficient measures adopted by Minister Ker- ensky.
 "The Russian people thoroughly un- derstand and are fully convinced that it is absolutely necessary to root out the autocratic principles which under lie and are represented by German mill