Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-04

phone, telegraph and railroad lines.
Edgar T. Bracket OF this city dellV-
cred an address of welcome
Says "Free Russia Is Finding Itself
Discussing the reconstruction period
through which Russian is now go
ing emerging from the crucible OF
the revolution" Boris A. Bakhmeteff.
Russian ambassador to the United
States. in an address here today before
the judicial section of the American
Bar Association, declared that the
outcomings of the process now going
on in Russia will determine the whole
of the future relations between ma
tions; on these issues will depend
largely the future of the,world.
Russia" he continued, lis facing
now the complete reorganization OF
the whole edifice of its national life.
All the branches of government and
public activity, the financial and eco
monte system the very habits and Gus
toms Of life are to be nodded in the
spirit of the new freedom. Public and
judicial institutions. civil and criminal
Law, finance. industry and commerce
all these manifold exertfons of state
life will have to be remedied and form
the future edifice of state legality en-
bodying the great principles of liberty
and democracy.
In =his process of remedying. the am
baseador declared. "the old institutions.
which for centuries have exempIihed
political serfGom and economical inef-
ficiency." will be done away with for
ever.
The first step in the work. the speak
er said. will be the establishment of
constitution" and the determination
of sgca fundamental laws will be ac-
complished by constituent assem-
bly,
Danger Of Concentrating Power.
Experience of history" said the am
bassador. paid by suffering. bloodshed
and historical reverse has shown that
such concentration Of power in a single
body carries danger. sedition and de-
cay. brings occasional tyranny. sup
preston of justice and liberty. devalues
the rights of man The con-
stffuent assembly, therefore. should act
on-a comparatively limited program"
In outlining the probable method
Ruesia will adopt for her elections. the
ambassador emphasized the Importance
of-ussing the greatest care. as the whole
of-the future existence of the nation
VIII depend on its outworkings-
tx has been for many years the chal-
fenge of democratic Russia. formulated
and adhered to by all democratic and
liberal parties" he said. that election
in all phases should be universal. di-
rect, equal and secret-this being the
so-called four-tair formula, a demo-
cratic dogma universally and indispu-
tahlJ recognized
The final election system to be used
IN Russia has not been settled as yet,
rhe speaker said The future structure
Of local government in Russia, however,
viii be accom- panied by the greatest de-
Capitalization.
"Both local legislatiyes and execu-
lives will be vested with the power to
regulate and administer all the mani
fold questions of local character Ieay-
ing to the state parliament and central
Administration only . a in @
II state politics and economies" he de-
dared
Process Of Decentralization.
This process of decentralization. Am
bassador Bakhmetef asserted, will re-
suit in system similar to that of the
United States. although there will al
ways be a substantial difference condi-
TONED by the difference of the historical
formation OF the state. - The future
edifice Of new Russia, with all the fu-
ture developments of local government
tSalization of previously established
forms. on virtue of law emanating from
q central body representing the will OF
the whole people"
the chief executive" as the President
Is chosen In America. the ambassador
declared. would involve danger in q
country like Russia. fresh from mo-
such enormous powers In an individual
would become threat to the new re-
public"
In touching on the present condition
az unrest In Russia the speaker said: 81
am confident of being right when char.
acterizing the centrifugal forces, which
are being exhibited now In Russia, as
one OF the infant diseases, which. as
many others. will disappear. and. let us
hope. forever. In the sparkling light OF
liberty and exuberant atmosphere OF
demot racy.''
In discussing whether the Russian
people are ready for self-government
the ambassador said there has beer
much more experience in political activ.
aty throughout Russia than il generally
suspected" citing the existence of the
dnma during the last decade as an edu.
cational force of immense value in The
political life of the country. The speak.
Don't Use Any Other
Than CutiCma Soap
TodC1oo- w. Cl.