Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-17
OPPRESSED RUSSIANS
UNABLE TO REALIZE
THAT THEY ARE FREE
When the Change was An.
nounced, They tore Down
Royal Insignia.
AWAIT RECEPTION
BY THE SOLDIERS
New Government Cannot
Stand Unless Vast Army
is Behind It.

Petrograd, March 1e. via London.
March 1.-THE autocracy which has
held Russia in its grip since the be-
ginning Of history, fell today. The
house Of Romanoff, which has ruled
the empire for four hundred years.
came to an end with the abdication
of Nicholas II, perhaps the weakest
representative of his line.
Tear Down Insignia.
Although apparent from the begin
ming of the revolution that the re-
moval OF the monarch was the inevi.
table end, the actual fact, so suddenly
accomplished, came as an overwheln-
ing surprise to the population. With
in four hours after the abdicatton of
Grand Duke Michael. who automa-
tcally became regent on the passing
! OF the emperor, the crowds in the
streets had secured ladders and be-
the winter palace and the front Of
buildings on the main thorouehfare.
In q short time, all the embleris of
the old empire literally lay in the
dust. -
In anticipation of the news bigger
;; crowds than ever filled the halls and
grounds of the Tauris palace, await
ing official conflrma ton by the duma
committee of the rumors which had
excited the people to fever pitch dur.
ing the last "a hours.
Cheer New Government.
When the tidings at last leaked out
of the committee rooms, orators, who
had been haranging soldiers and
working men from the balcony Of the
palace, suddenly interrupted their
discourses and shouted the news to
the crowds below them. ,Indescrib-
able confusion seized the vast throne.
fore had been heard in those stately
halls, continued until the men and
women were forced to cease from
utter exhaustion.
Predict Republic.
Just what form the new govern
ment will assume is indefinite tonight.
For the moment entire authority
rests with the twelve members of the
duma executive committee and the
cabinet headed by Prince Lwoff, who.
according to some forecasts, will be
president of a new republic. It is be-
lieved that in the interim until the
convocation Of a constitutional as
sembly. power will slowly pass into
the hands Of the new cabinet which
will then present the anomaly of a
new government without a supreme
head
AS early as two months ago, ru-
mors became current that the en-
peror would be forced to surrender
his throne. Until that time the chic.
dissa tisfaction at the economic dis
organization Of the country and the
criminal mismanagement Of affairs
was vented against the cabinet and
vaguely alluded to, without touching
the person Of the emperor.
Many Court Intrigues.
1t became definitely known that all
irresponsible and evil influences, SYM
bolized by such figures as Sturmer.
Protopopof and Rasputin, had 4
deeper and more powerful source
than the government itself. The
prevalence of startling rumors Of
court scandals and intrigues and tho
existence of mysterious channels
which seemed to run from court cir
cles into the camp Of the enemy, con-
tributed to bring the imperial family
into complete disfavor. Whether
these were true or not it was felt that
the weakness of the ruling family In
allowing persons to direct the affairs
Of the country who were secretly .de.,i
signing against the best interests 6fy
the nation and apparently doing aiks
possible to interfere with the proper
conduct of the war, UNITED them to
govern the country.
Accusations Made Openly. gys
There was little restraint in the
manner in which this opinion was
against the empress. in almost every
gathering where people privately a.
sembled to discuss tho political aitna. -
ton. From the tribune of the duma
the same thing was hinted In yeiletl u
forms. Professor MilukoR In his "a.
dress at the opening Of the duma laat
November. read an article frosn ~
i0y1 n, -