The sun., 1917-07-09

Scope of the Liberty.
ION the whole the nation Is satisfied
with the provisional Government, be-
cause the Government, though ham
pered by grave military and diplomatic
preoccupations, has already success
fully carried through internal reforms
which embody the traditional aspira-
tions of Russlas progressives. Do you
know that within a few weeks OF the
CZarists' downfall the Government real
lied liberal hvefold programme, CIV
ing complete liberty of person, speech.
press, meeting and religion, and going
therein further than most progressive
democracies in Europe or America?
although these tremendous reforms
were pushed through hastily in the abb
sence of legislative machinery, not one
Of them has been subjected to serious
criticism even by the avowed anti
Government factions. Perhaps America
knows of this, but does she know that
we have also executed a comprehensive
scheme of minor economic. financial and
social reforms. which has been unan-
imously approved?
II refer you. for instance, to the com
plete characterization of the country,
local self-government in the towns
throughout the country. with the uni
versal and equal suffrage for both sexes
regardless of qualifications, the special
feature Of which is the establishment OF
smaller unit Of local government, in
which is abolished the inequality be-
tween peasants and the other classes,
thus eradicating from the Russian law
the ancient and degrading distinction of
the privileged classes: the reform OF
the military courts and of local courts
viii aHp Of
to the magistracy and legal profession
educational reform, including a new uni
versity in the city of Perm; secondary
school reconstruction, the reform of the
backward parish elementary schools, the
democratic income property tax. with
the proposal for the reform of success
sion taxation; the organization of peas
ant home work, which is an important
factor in our village economy: the mobl-
ization of the nations technical knowl
edge for war purposes many church
reforms. among them the election OF the
highest prelates by popular vote and
preparations for an ecumenical church
council. aiming at the abolition of State
despotism in church affairs.
100 Years Advance in 100 Days.
Through these reforms Russia has
in hundred days advanced a hundred
years"
With regard to recent disorders and
separatst agitations the Premier de-
clared that local disorder was still some
times serious. but that no single dis
orderly movement was sufficiently large
to threaten the Governments stability.
and there were signs that the excuses Of
the factionists injured chiefly the fac
tionists' cause.
Naturally" he said, "the separatit
movement in Finland and Ukraine causes
anxiety. In this there are two contrary
features, the first a rightful desire for
increased self-government and legitimate
historical and cultural aspirations and.
secondly, irresponsible separatism, which
menaces Russia's essential unity.
with regard to the first. the Govern
ment stands for policy of concessions.
but until the Constituent Assembly def
nitely organizes the empire we have no
right to give way on the second point.
FoI that reason also in order to prevent
local usurpations by self-styled repub-
lies ! walt impatiently for the convoca-
tion of the Constituent Assembly in Octo-
ber. The Assembly. expressing the will
OF all Russia, will arm the Government
which at present is revolutionary and
without a regular mandate-with legal
authority TO take repressive measures
happily these are still necessary.
Amazed at Roots Grasp.
'Let me express TO America our
hearty satisfaction at the visit OF the
| Root mission. have had the strongest
| possible support from Mr.. Root person
| ally. I am amazed how, despite his
! newneSs 10 Russia and the limited op-
| portunitles TO see our country, he i'm
mediately grasped the essential fact
that our troubles were transtory and
understood the broader and more essen
tial problems which the Russians them
selves have not yet all been able to un-
| derstand.
ALLOW me to add that American Rus
stan relations have also been admirably
handled by your Ambassador, Mr.
| Francis, who earns deep apprecia ton
| for his good will and lively interest in
| our affairs and his quick adaptation "a
our new methods of diplomacy. l am
unable to conceive how America could
be better represented here
For decades of darkness and oppres-
sion America had been our ideal OF
freedom and intellectual and material
development, rather not our ideal, for
we had considered 1t unattainable, but
a remote fairy tale of happiness. Now
we have in our jump reached America
condition Of freedom, There remains
the slower but not impossible, task tc
overtake her in education, materia
progress, culture and respect for order
I'VE are on the right track. The
spirit OF new Russia is closely akin tC
the immemorial spirit OF free America
and where the spirit is work follows
That means Russia's salvation. Blu
that is not all. / am convinced that oul
revolution Is no mere domestic affair, bu
a stage in the new world movement
toward liberty, equality. fraternity-per
haps the greatest stage in the world
history. Equally I consider that tn,
war, like. indeed, preceding wars. Is
stage In world evolution, This warI
mission Is 10 spread throughout tn,
world all that Is vital and abiding il
our revolution. That is why as citizer
OF the world l desire victory.
II regard the growing friendship he
tween Russia and America as n pro
vislonal instrument in this world pro
cess. Therefore / consider that all tn,
help, sympathy and encoura cement W,
get from your people beyond the sea,
constitute not merely a local temporar,
benefit but a permanent contribution
toward the regeneration OF the world"
HALICZ is MENACED.