The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-20
Victory and
Freedom for.
Russia. ! Seen
Provisional Govern m e n t
Promises to Realize the
National Duties.

London, March 19--The following
manifesto has been issued by the Rus
sian provisional government to the
nation according to Reuters Petrograd
correspondent:
Citizens: The great work has been
accomplished. BY a powerful stroke
the Russian people have overthrown
the old regime. A new Russia is born.
This coup d'etat has set the keystone
upon long years of struggle. @
Under pressure of awakened nation
al forces, the act of October 80 (19o5}
promised Russia constitutional lib-
critics, which were never put into ex-
ecution. The first duma. the mouth
piece Of rational wishes, was dis
same fate and the government being
powerless to crush the national will
decided by act of June 16. 1907. to de-
prive the people of part of the legisla-
tive rights promised them.
Ten Years Tyranny.
During the ensuing ten years the
government successfully withdrew
from the people all the rights they had
won. The country was again thrown
into the abyss of absolute ruin and
administrative arbitrariness. All at
tempts to make the voice of reason
heard were vain and the great world
struggle into which the country was
plunged, found it face to face with
moral decadence and power: indiffer-
ent to the country's destinies and
stepped in vices and infamy.
The heroic efforts Of the army.
crushed under the cruel weight of in
ternal disorganization, the appeal Of
the national representatives who were
united in view of the national danger.
were powerless to lead the emperor
and his government into the path of
union with the people. Thus when
Russia by the illegal and disastrous
acts of her governors was faced with
the greatest disasters. the people had
to take tne power into theis own hands,
To Lead to Victory.
With unanimous revolutionary spirit
the people, fully realizing the serious
ness of the moment and the firm will
of the duma, established a provisional
government, which considers that it is
its sacred duty to realize the national
duties and lead the country into the
bright path of free civil organization.
The government believes that the lofty
spirit of patriotism that the people
have shown in the struggle against the
old regime also will animate our gal
liant soldiers on the battle fields
On it's side. the government will do
it's utmost to provide the army with
everything necessary to bring the war
to a victorious conclusion. The gov
ernment will faithfully observe all al
liances uniting us to other powers and
all agreements made in the past. While
taking measures Indispensable for the
defense of the country against a for
eign enemy, the government will con-
slider it it's first duty to grant to the
people every facility to express it's will
and will convoke as soon as possible
a constituent assembly on the basis
Of universal suffrage, at the same time
| assuring the gallant defenders OF the
Icountry their share in the parliament
larry election. The constituent assembly
will issue fundamental laws guaran-
teeing the country the immutable
rights of equality and liberty.
| Political Liberty.
Conscious of the burden of the po-
| litical oppression weighing upon the
country and hindering the creative
forces of the people during Years OF
painful hardships. the provisional gov
ernment deems it necessary, even be-
nounce to the country its principles
assuring the political liberty and
equality to all citizens making free
use Of their spiritual forces in creative
work for the benefit OF the country
The government also will take care tt
elaborate the principles assuring al
citizens participation in elections
which will be carried out on a basis
of universal suffrage.
At the moment of national emanci.
patton the whole country recalls will
pious gratitude those who in the strug.
gle for their political and religion.
ideas fell victims of the vengeance O
the old power. and the provisional
government will joyfully bring bacl
from exile and prison, all those whs
thus suffered for the good of thei
country.
In realizing these problems the pro
visional government believes 1t is ex
(ecuting the national will and that tn,
whole people will support it in its eff
forts to insure the happiness of Rus
sia.