Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-22
RUSSIAN DECLARATION
REJECTS THOUGHT OF
A SEPARATE PEACE
Government Believes County'S
Present Army Will Not Per-
NIT Germans to Destroy Al
lies and Then Invade Russia

PETROGRAD, May IA statement
embodying the policies Of new Russia
was issued today by the newly reorgan-
lied provisional government as a de-
claration, and reads:
The provisional government, reor-
ganized and reinforced by representa-
ttves Of the revolutionary democracy,
declares that it will energetically carry
into effect the ideas of liberty, equality
and fraternity beneath the standards by
which the rgeat Russian revolution
came to birth. The provisional govern
ment is united as to the fundamental
lines of it's future action as follows:
First, in foreign policy. the govern
ment, rejecting in concert with the en-
tire people all thought of a separate
peace, adopts openly as its aim
the re-establishment of a general
peace which shall not tend towards eth
er dominion over over nations, the seiz-
ure Of their national possessions or
violent usurapation of their territories
"a peace without annexation or indem-
mites and based on the right Of nations
to decide their own affairs. In the firm
conviction that the fall Of the regime Of
cZardom in Russia and the consolida-
ton of the democratic principles Of our
in the allied democracies new aspira-
tons towards a stable peace and a
brotherhood Of nations, the provisional
government will take steps towards
bringing about an agreement with the
allies on a basis of the declaration of
April 9.
"Second-Convinced that the defeat Of
Russia and her allies would not only
be a source Of the greatest calamity to
the people but would postpone or make
impossible the conclusion Of a world
wide peace on the basis indicated above,
the provisional government believes that
the Russian revolutionary army will not
suffer the German troops to destroy our
western allies and then throw them
selves upon us with the full force of
their arms.
THE development Of the principles of
democra tization in the army and the de-
velopment Of its military power, both
offensive and defensive, will constitute
the most important TASK of the provis-
ional government.
'Third-The provisional government
will fight resolutely and infexibly
against the economic Reorganization of
the country by the systematic establish
ment of governmental control Of pro-
duction, transport, exchange and distri-
button Of products and in necessary
cases will have recourse also to the or
ganization of production.
"Fourth-The measures for the pro-
lection of labor will in every possible
way continue to be promoted further
with energy.
"F1fth--Leaving it to the constituent
assembly to deal with the question of
transferring land to the workers and
proceeding with preparatory measures
relative thereto, the provisional gov
eminent will take all necessary steps
toward insuring the greatest possible
production OF cereals required by the
country and for furthering the system
attic utilization of the soil in the in
terests of national economy and the
working classes.
"Sixth-Looking forward to the in
PRODUCTION of a series Of reforms Of the
financial system upon a democratic bas-
is the provisional government will de-
vote particular attention to the increas-
ing Of direct taxes on the wealthy
classes-succession duties, taxes on ex-
cessive war profits. the property tax,
etc.
"Seventh-The efforts to introduce
and develop democratic unity of self
government will be continued with all
possible speed and assiduity.
"Eighth-The provisional govern
to bring about at the earliest time
practicable the calling together of a
constituent assembly at Petrograd.
"Dedicating itself resolutely to the
realization of the above program the
provisional government declares cate
gorically that fruitful effort is only
possible II 1t has the absolute conf
dence Of the whole people and the abil-
tty to exercise the full power, so neces-
sary to reinforce the successes Of the
revolution and develop them further.
Addressing all citizens in reso-
Lutte appeal to safeguard the unity and
power thus won, the provisional gov
eminent declares that for the safety
Of the country 1t will take the most
energetic measures against all attempt
ed counter-revolutions as we'll as an
archistic, illegal, violent actions which
would disorganize the country and pre-
pare the way for counter-revolutions.
THE provisional government believes
that in this way alone can 1t conserve
all that which is dear to free Russia"
The declaration is signed by Premier
IIvoff and all the cabinet ministers.