The Washington times., 1917-04-11
RUSSIANS WARNED
OF INVASION PERIL
Provisional Government, ir
Proclamation, Tells People
Of Grave Danger.

PETROGRAD, April 1.-THE pro-
visional government has issued
lengthy proclamation directing atten-
tion to the grave danger OF a German
effort to deliver a decisive blow at
Russia and the necessity of immedi-
ately concentrating all OF Russia's
forces for the defeat OF the enemy.
"The provisional government"
says the proclamation, feels that it
has no right to hide the truth. The
state is in danger and it is necessary
to employ all our powers to save it.
The old regime left Russia in a sadly
disorganized condition, especially in
the matter of finance. food supply,
transport and munitions"
The text of the proclamation reads:
Having examined the military
situation, the Russian government, in
the name of duty and country, has
decided to tell the people directly and
openly the whole truth.
"The regime which now has been
overthrown left the defense OF the
country in q badly disorganized con-
dition- By its culpable inaction and
its inept measures it introduced dis
organization into our finances, into
provisioning and the transport and
supply OF munitions to the army. 1t
weakened the whole of our economic
organization.
Won't Count the Cost.
"The provisional government, with
the active cooperation of the whole
nation, will devote all its energies to
repair the serious consequences Of
the old regime. The blood OF many
sons of the fatherland has been shed
freely in the course Of these two and
a half long years Of war. but the
country still is capable OF a powerful
blow at the enemy. who occupies
whole territories OF our state and Is
now-in the days OF the birth OF Rus
sian liberty-threatenin us with q
new and decisive thrust.
The defense, cost what II may, of
our national patrimony. and the de-
liverance of the country from the
stitute the capital and the vital prob
lem before our warriors who are de-
Tending the liberty of the people In
close union with our allies.
The government deems il to be its
duty to declare now that free Russia
does not aim at the domination of
other nations. at depriving them of
their national patrimony, or at -occu-
pying by force foreign territories,
but that its object is to establish a
durable peace on the rights of ma
tions to decide their own destinies.
Warning OF Danger.
THE Russian nation does not lust
after the Strengthening of its power
abroad at the expense OF other ma
tions. Its aim is not to subjueate
or humiliate any one. In the name
OF the higher principles Of equity 1t
has removed the chains which
weighed upon the Polish people.
But the Russian nation will not al
low its fatherland to come out of
the great struggle humiliated and
weakened in its vital forces. These
principles will constitute the basis
OF the foreign policy OF the pro-
visional government, which will
carry out unfailingly the popular
Will and safeguard the rights of our
fatherland while observing the en-
gagements entered into with our al
lies.
THE provisional government of
free Russia has no right to hide the
truth. The state is in danger.
Every effort must be made to have
1t set the country respond to the
truth when it is told, not by sterile
depressions and not by discourage
ment. but by unanimous vigor with
a view to creating a united national
will.
This will give US new strength
for the struggle and will procure our
salvation. In this hour of rude trial
let the whole country find in itself
strength to consolidate the liberty
won and to devote itself to untiring
labor for the welfare OF free Russia.
"The provisional government, which
has given its solemn oath to serve |
the people is firmly confident that |
with the general and unanimous sup
port of each one and all. IL will itself |
be able to do its duty to its country
to the end"