New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-18
Russian People Dazed
By Fall of RomanoHs

Petrograd, March Is (via London,
March 17.)-Theautocracy which has
held Russia in its grip since the begin
ming of history, fell to-day. The house
of Romanof. which has ruled the EN-
pire for 400 years, came TO an end with
the abdication Of Nicholas III, perhaps
the weakest representative OF his line.
Following on the heels of this startling
development came the rumor tonight
of the death of the emperor's little
son, whose abdcation was included IN
that of his father
Although apparent from the begin
ming of the revolution that the remova
of the monarch was the inevitable end,
the actual fact, so suddenly accom-
plished, came as an overwhelming sur
Prise to the population. Within four
hoursatfer the abdIcation of the Grand
Duke Michael. VINO automatically be-
came regent on the passing of the en-
peror. the crowds in the streets had
secured ladders and began to tear the
imperial insignia from the Winter Pal
ace and the fronts of buildings on the
main thoroukhfare. In a short time all
emblems of the old empire literally lay
in the dust.
In anticipation of the news bigger
crowds than ever packed the halls and
grounds of the Tauris Palace, awaiting
Official confirmation by the Duma com
mite, of the rumors which had ex-
-. L. l. ti-h Il IL rnf "
the last twenty-four hours. When the
tidings at last leaked out from the
committee rooms orators who had been
haranguing soldiers and workingmen
from the balcony of the palace sud
denly interrupted their discourses and
shouted the news TO the crowds below
them. Indeseribabe confusion seized
the vast throng. A roar of cheers such
as never before had been heard in those
stately halls continued until the men
and women were forced to cease from
utter exhaustion.
Just what form the new government
will assume is indefinite tonight. For
the moment entire authority rests with
the twelve members of the Duma Ex-
ecutive Committee and the Cabinet,
headed by Prince Lvof, who, according
10 some forecasts, will be President Of
the new republic II is believed that in
the interim and until the convocation
Of a constitutional assembly 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.
If anything further was needed to
cement the friendly relations existing
between all elements of the revolution
it was provided by, the events Of to-
day. The differences which threatened
yesterday to create a serious split be
tween the Duma committee and the
committee of workingmen, soldiers and
Deputies have automatically disap-
peared since, with the abdication of
Crank Duke Michael as regent. the
question whether Russia should remain
an empire or compel its antiquated
government to yield to a new republic
is now solved. Eliminating improbable
events which could throw the country
back into the traces Of the old regime,
Russia has to-day become a republic
and the predictions of a responsible
ministry, which a week ago were ridi-
culed as premature and impossible,
have to-day been exceeded by a new
liberty which never found a place in
tented people.
SO swiftly. Unexpectedly and com
pletely did the great change come that
the people are almost dazed and seem
scarcely able to understand what has
occurred. Injured through centuries
to the grinding oppression of autocratic
rule and regarding freedom as glor-
ious dream which would forever re-
main a dream, the people seem dis
posed to regard their liberation as at
most merely temporarily respite.
The reception of the new manifesto
at army headquarters is awaited with
the greatest anxiety for it is known
that unless it is favorably met by the
100000 men at the front the new
regime cannot endure. There is no
reason to suppose that the soldiers on
the fighting line will show a different
attitude from the soldiers and civilians
in Petrograd and the other cities.