New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-27
limited States
Of Russia Now
Seems Certain
Leading Parties Favor Republic
with Autonomous Divisions,
President and Congress
By ISAAC DON LEVINE


USSIA is to be a republic. This is
IN the meaning OF the Petrograd
dispatch telling that the Consu-
tutional Democrats voted IN fa'or Oh
the republican form Of government lor
Russia. The Constitutional Democratic
marty represents. to an overwhelming
extent, the public opinion of the eoun-
try In the new Russian government
this party is represented by eight MIN
listers, as against three representing
the other political factions.
There are two very influential par
ties in Russia. One is the Constitutions
Democratic and the other the Social
ist. The former unites in its ranks all
the liberal elements in the empire, be-
ing the party of the middle class. The
latter is the party of Russia's indus
trial classes.
Cadets Converted to Republic
The Russian Socialists and other
radicals have always been in favor OF
a republican form of government. On
the other hand. the Constitutional
Democrats, known as the Cadets, stood
for a constitutional monarchy. The
overthrow of the Car by the Russian
people has, however. demonstrated TO
the Cadets that their original position
in regard TO the form of government Is
now out of date in Russia.
The decision of the central commit
tee of the Cadet party to favor a
United States of Russia proves that
public opinion in Russia is strongly
republican. II also leaves only one big
party, the Octobrist, still fsvoring the
monarchical form of government. The
Octobrist party has, however. never
been popular organization. II is COM
posed almost exclusively of progressive
land owners and mobiles. Its numerical
strength is not great enough TO affect
the results of the coming elections.
Besides there is still possibility
that the 0ctobrists will soon come out
with a declaration of a new programme
and policies. 1t is not at all unlikely
that this declaration will state that
the Octobrist party has also resolved
TO favor republican government. IL
will be remembered that Michael Rod
zianko. the president of the committee
of safety and the President of the
Duma, is the leader of the Octobrists.
Il Is. therefore. probable that the rev.
olution has converted him from n
monarchist into a republican.
The Russian republic is not going to
be one solid state. II will be union
of Russia. Finland, Poland, Lithuania,
Armenia and perhaps some other In
dividual, though dependent, states. This
il why it is 10 be called the United
States of Russia. The supreme govern
ment. of course, will rest in Petrograd.
But in this government will be repre-
sented all the states.
States To Be Autonomous
Thus Finland is TO be fgoverned.
It's connection with Russia will be ex-
pressed either through Finnish mem
Der of the Russian Cabinet or through
Finnish representation in the Duma.
Poland will be set up as an autonomous
state. with an individual parliament
4 like Finland's. Internally, Poland will
be practically Independent. Interna-
/ tionally, il will remain part of Russia,
and will be represented in the Russian
/ government.
The same condition will obtain with
regard to the other autonomous ma
| tionalities. Russia will thus resemble,
/ in a large measure, the United States
of America. The Duma will be not I'M
like Congress. The President of the
/ United States Of Russia will, to GER
tain extent. function like the President
I of this country. The new Russia is
evidently copying American political
institutions.