Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-23

ready to act with the energy and resolu-
ton the exceptional circumstances de-
:. mand. The government regards as It's
first and capital task the application OF
its whole strength to the struggle against
the foreign foe and to the defense OF
ethe new governmental regime against
every anarchical and counter-reVoiu-
tionary attempt, without hes,tatlng 10
take the rigorous measures In Its power.
At the same time the government re-
iterates that not drop of blood OF
Russian soldier shall be shed for any for
: e,gn end, as already proclaimed to the
whole world"
The proclamation proceeds to state that
in accordance with the declaration OF
!. May 10 the government intends to sum
/. mon the entente allies to conference IN
!, August to decide upon general orienta-
ton of the allies foreign policy ana 10
!. CO. ordinate their actions with regard to
the application of the principles proclaim
: ed by the Russian revolution AT tnis
conference Russia will be represented, IN
addition to diplomats. by representative
Of the Russian democracy.
For Rule by People.
The government" continues the
proclamation. considers it indispensa-
BILE Immediately to proceed with Sc
ries of measures putting the principles
announced on May 10 into operation.
and adheres to the steps already taken
to convene a constituent assembly on
September 30. The speediest introduc-
ton of autonomy for municipalities
and zemstvos based on direct, equal.
secret universal suffrage and the eX-
tension of this principle to the entire
country is the government chief prob
lem in internal policy.
/. 'Attri butIng at the same time par
{, ticular Importance to the creation of
local executive bodies enjoying the
!. confidence of the entire population. the
government will forthwith proceed
. with the organization of such authori-
ties. and will also at an early date pro-
.muleate a decree abolishing classes
and ranks of officials and decorations,
except those for great military deeds"
The proclamation announces that an
economic council of the general econ
omy committee will be held imnedi-
ately and draft plans for a general eco
nomic reorganization and the organiza-
ton of Ia bor. II also will prepare a
bill covering these aims and for estab-
fishing control of industry.
Bills also Will be prepared soon and
put into operation regarding the lib
, erty of trades unions, labor exchanges
and arbitration courts Other bills are
being drafted dealing with the eight
hour day the protection Of labor and
the introduction of insurance for work
men
Lands to Be Restored.
J.. The proCla ma ton further declares
that the government is convinced that
future agricultural reforms must be
based on the principle of restoring the
land to workers. scheme of agricul-
tural reform is being framed on this
basis and will be submitted to the con-
stituent assembly. The governments
measure will completely abolish the
old agrarian policy, which ruined or
,disorganized agricultural committees
and will completely safeguard the lib
erty of the constituent assembly in
connection with the distribution of
landed property, and will lay down
certain rules regarding the responst-
bility of landed interests in relation to
/; the national defense and Professionally
OF the people 1t is proposed for this
purpose to extend and consolidate the
governments network of agricultural
committees. The funda mental question
. of the rights of land owners, however,
will be left to the constituent assem-
bly,.
The proclamation concludes with an
expression of confidence that the gov
ernment can rely on the support of all
active forces in the country in dealing
with those problems and calls on them
40 sacrifice their all In the great work
for the salvation of the country which
has ceased to be for those inhabiting it