Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-03-17
DEATH OF CARS
SON is RUMORED
[Continucd From First Page1

abdication was included in that of his
father.
Although apparent from the begin
ming of the revolution that the re-
moval of the monarch was the inevit-
able and the actual fact so suddenly
accomplished, came as an overwhelm-
ing surprise to the population. With
in four hours after the, abdication
of the Grand Duke Michael who au-
tomatically became regent on the
passing OF the emperor, the crowds in
the streets had secured ladders and
began to tear the imperial insignia
from the winter palace and the front
Oh buildings on the main thorough
tare. In short time all the en-
blems of the old empire lay in the
dust.
People Excited
In anticipation of the news bigger
crowds than ever filled the halls and
grounds of the Tauris palace, awaiting
official confirmation by the Duma
committee rooms of the rumors which
had excited the people to fever pitch
during 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, suddenly interrupted their dis
courses and shouted the news to the
crowds below them.
Indescribable confusion seized the
vast throngs. A roar of cheer such
as never before had been heard in
these 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
hnn 1n1 hXFI IDrfr II xrr1,1
ing to some forecasts, will be presi-
dent of new republic. 1t is believed
that in the interim and until the con-
vocation of constitutional assembly
power will slowly pass into the hands
of the new cabinet which will then
present the anomaly of a new govern
ment without a supreme head.
Serious Split Avoided
II 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 threat
ened yesterday to create serious split
between the Duma committee and the
committee of workingmen, soldiers
and deputies, have automatically dis
appeared since, with the abdication
of Grand Duke Michael as regent, the
question whether Russia should re-
main an empire or compel its anti
quated 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 republic and the predictions
of responsible ministry, which q
week ago were ridiculed as prema-
ture and impossible, has to-day been
exceeded by a new liberty which never
found place in the most fervent
dreams of its discontented people.
AS early as two months ago rumors
became current that the Emperor
would be forced to surrender his
throne. Until that time the chief dis
satisfaction at the economic disorgan-
ization of the country and the criminal
mismanagement of affairs was vented
against the cabinet and the influence
of the court was only vaguely alluded
to. without touching the person of the
Emperor. 1t became definitely known
that all Irresponsible and evil influ-
ences, symbolized by such figures as
Sturmer, Protopopoff and Rasputin.
had a deeper and more powerful
sources than the government itself.
Scandals Startle People
The prevalence of startling rumors
of court scandals and intrigues and
the existence of mysterious channels
which seemed to run from court cir
cles Into the camp of the enemy, sery-
ed to bring the imperial family into
were true or not It was felt that the
weakness of the ruling family in al
lowing persons to direct tho affairs of
the country who were secretly design
Ing against the best interests of the
nation and apparently doing all possi-
BILE to interfere with the proper con-
duct of the war, untitled them to gov
ern the country,
There was little restraint In the
manner in which this opinion was ex-
pressed. Accusations were made