The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-17
Gear, Son and Grand Duke
Michael Abdicate-Exe-
cutive Committee of
Duma and New Councils
Of Ministers in Charge of
Government.
Choice of Majority for, Uni
rersal Suffrage General
Amnesty for Political
Prisoners and Freedom Of
Press, New Policies
Adopted.

Adopted.
Petrograd, March 16, G p. M, via
London, March II, 3:14 a. m.)-Em.
peror Nicholas abdicated at midnigh
last night on behalf of himself an6
the heir apparent, Grand Duke Alexis
i in favor OF Grand Duke Michael Alex
anderovitch.
AT $3.50 o'clock this afternoon Grand
8 Duke Michael himself abdicated, thus
bringing the Romanoff dynasty to an
end
Although apparent from the begin
ming Of the revolution that the re-
moval of the monarch was the in
eyitable end, the actual fact, so sud-
denly accomplished came as an over
whelming surprise to the population.
! Within four hours after the abdica-
ton of the Grand Duke Michael, who
automatically became regent on the
passing of the emperor, the crowds
In the streets had secured ladders
and begun to tear the imperial in
sigma from the winter palace and the
front OF buildings on the main
thoroughfare. In short time all the
0IIlDi61QS tOI lxlC O1u gill PAK - fAAtCI lilly
lay in the dust. *
In anticipation OF the news bigger
crowds than ever packed the halls
and the grounds OF the Tauis palace.
awaiting official confirmation by the
duma COMMITTEES OF the rumors that
had excited the people to fever pitch
during the last "A hours. When the
\ tiding at last leaked out from the
committee rooms, orators. who had
been haranguing soldiers and work
ingmen from the balcony OF the
palace, suddenly interrupted their
discourses and shouted the news to
the crowds below. Indescribable con-
fusion seized the vast throng. A roar
Of cheers such as never before had
been heard in those stately halls con-
tinued until the men and women were
forced to cease from utter exhaus-
ton. s,
Just what form the new govern
ment will assume is Indefinite. For
the moment entire authority rests
with the IL members OF the duma
executive committee and the cabinet
headed by Prince Lvoff, who. accord
ing to some forecasts, will be presi-
dent Of new republic. It is believed
that in the interim and until the con-
vocation OF q constitutional assembly
power Will slowly pass into the hands
OF the new cabinet which will then
present the anomaly Of a new govern
ment without supreme head.
II anything rurtner were needed 20
cement the 1riendly reiations existlhs
between All the elements OF the reVo-
luton II was PROVIDED py the events
OF the day. Tne ditrerences Wnlcn
threatened serious SPIT between the
duma comm1ttees ana the commfttee
OF workingmen, soldrers ana deputies
have automatlcaiiy olsappearea. with
the abdication OF Grand Duke MI
chael as regent, the question Wnetner
Russia should remain M empire or
compel Its anttquated government to
yield a new republic is now solved.
Eliminating improbable events that
could throw the country bac kinto the
traces Of the old regime, Russia has
today become republic and the
prediction OF responsible ministry,
which q week ago were ridiculed as
premature and impossible. has been
exceeded by new liberty which never
found place in the most fervent
dream OF It's discontinued people.
AS early as two months ago rumors
became current that the emperor
would be forced to surrender his
throne. Until that time the chief dis
satisfaction at the economic disorga-
nization Of the country and the GRIM
inaI mismanagernent OF affairs was
was vented against the cabinet and
the influence of the court was only
vaguely alluded to, without touching
the person OF the emperor. But 1t
became definitely known that all ire
sponsible and evil influences, symbo-
liked by such figures as Sturmer, Pro-
topopoff and Rasputin, had deeper
and more powerful source than the
government itself. The prevalence of
startling runors Of court scandals
and intrigues and the existence Of
mysterious channels which seemed to
run from court circles int, the carnn