Imperial Valley press., 1917-08-09

fUU persons DelnS hiItu ! HC Sai
risons at Petrograd and Moscow wa
vered and then went over in bod.
to the revolutionaries. Pro-Germal
reactionaries were rounded up. Man!
political prisoners were liberated, IN
cluding a great horde which, freed
from incarceration in Siberia, entered
petrograd amid scenes not unlike
those at Paris during the French rev
olution. Important among these re
turned exiles was Madame Catherine
Breshkovskaya, Grandmother of tbs
Revolution.
The Duma leaders had brought al
this about, having disregarded an or
der from the emperor to dissolve and
having voted to create a provisional
government. Other garrisons came
il to strengthen the movement and
Russian army generals at the front
assured their support.
Grand Duke Quits.
Grand Duke Michael abdicated the
throne on March Is.
A new national cabinet was organ
lied. with Prince George (. Lvoff
as premier and minister of the inter-
ior, and Alexander kerensky, later to
become a dominating figure in this
drama, as minister of justice.
The new regime proclaimed policies
which included amnesty for political
prisoners, religious freedom, liberty
of speech and universal suffrage.
Even in the war capitals of the Cen
tral Powers it was conceded that the
revolution had been accomplished un-
der the guidance of RuSsia's war par
ty, and some of the German newspa-
rers dared to predict that the revolt
would be far-reaching as a step to-
ward the characterization of Europe.
In England it was regarded as an En-
tente triumph and German disaster
The United States, then neutral,
was first to recognize the provisional
government, on March %. A few
Gays later Great Britain, Rance and
Italy officially welcomed the new
republic. America later sent diplo-
matte and railroad missions to aid
Russia, and made financial loans. Eli
hu Root, who headed the diplomatic
body, assured the provisional govern
ment that the United States would
stand by Russia, and other members
of the mission expressed confidence
IN the success of the new democracy.
Jews throughout the world interpre-
ted the situation as a stride toward
universal freedom for their race.
Arrest of Royalty.
Meanwhile the deposed Emperor and
the Empress Alexandra were ordered
arrested and they were made prison
.ers at Tsarkoe-Selo later being re-
moved with their encourage to Fort
ress st. Peter an DIST. Paul, at Petro-
grad
A plot to proclaim Grand Duke
Michael emperor failed in April.
Nikolai Lenine, noted revolutions
airy of the radical Socialist type, re-
turned from exile in Switzerland and
established himself at the palace Of
Madam Kshesinska, a famous dancer,
who had been favorite of tn eruler.
With many followers, Lenine opposed
the new regime by advocating peace.
Suspected as pro-German agents, he
and some of his associates were ar
rested several months lather after
they had done incalculable harm
through their public and secret agita-
tions. Subsequently he escaped.
Many Disorders.
Strikes, agrarian disorders, anti
government demonstrations at Kron-
stadt, Sebastopol and elsewhere, mu'
tinies in the fleets and among entire
regiments at the front, together with
steps AIKEN by Finland and Ukraine
to attain political independence, cast
into uncertainty, during subsequent
months, the question whether the sue
cess of the revolution was certain.
About mid-uly Petrograd was placed
under army control after street fight
ing in which sc persons were killed
and $50 wounded. German agents
were believed to have instigated these
disturbances. Tens of thousands OF
German spies had been able to invade
Russia, and for a period the provis-
ional government hesitated to prose
cute them and the Russian fanatics
who were their tools, for fear of be-
ing accused of oppression and tyran-
my.
First Cabinet Weak.
With only one Socialist, Kerensky
the first cabinet was too weak to sur