Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-17
CZAREVITCH DEAD LONDON HEARS;
BRITISH OFFICIALS HAIL CHANGE
LONG LIVE FREE RUSSIA

formal signature to the abdca ion was
made at Pskoff and that throughout the
Russian nation placards announcing this
renunciation had been posted.
Reports reached London today of the
death of Gar Nicholass only son, thirteen
year Alexis and heir apparent to the
Russian front. The cause of the death was
not stated. DispatafAse yesterday reported
the Czarevitch dansS- asly Ill from scarlet
YER
Dispatches from Petrograd today indicate
saat the new Government is ra pidly getting
affairs in hands.
1t has been decided. for the good of the
populace. not to Issue any newspa pers for
the present - until the excitement and
fanatical rumors have partially subsidized.
Instead, committee Of Petrograd journal
lists has been formed, an ONCE placed at
their disposal in the Duma building and
arrangements made for the printing of but
one paper There will be two editions a
day, distributed free among the populace.
in which every move made by the Duma
will be chroncled.
Late dispatches from 'Petrograd still
place the Czar at Pskoff, about 100 miles
from Petrograd, under guard OF a small
body OF troops. The same dispatches re-
port that the Czarina is remaining at the
Royal Palace of Tsarkoe-Seo. The COM
mandant OF the palace is said to have given
his word OF honor to the Duma that the
Empress will not be allowed TO escape.
No mention is made of the whereabouts
OF Grand Duke Michael, who refused the
throne after his brother, the Car, had
chosen to abdicate rather than be deposed.
1T is fairly certain that Michael was in
Petrograd yesterday. His future plans are
unknown.
Russia is ready for real democracy, in
the opinion today OF British officials most
closely In touch with recent developments.
For the last two years there has been
steady growth OF thA ZemRfyne pt
There was union of a vast voluntary war
organisation. II was an organization that
sprang directly from the peoples BY now
II has interviewer itself into every phase
or Russian rural life as we'll as into every
department of the activities of war II COW
cred up the mistakes of the Petrograd Of
hcials 1t provided food and relief for the
soldiers; II aided the r-stricken people.
IL gave the people their first opportunity
for exercise of popular executive direction
on a vast scale.
British official ldom, as a whole, expressed
undlsgused satisfaction over the turn of
events. They were pleased not so much
because I popular Government had ap-
parently supplanted the reign Of the Ro-
manons, but because they were convinced
Russias war effectiveness would hence
forth be greatly increased.
The best proof of confidence in the new
order Is the fact that even the most re-
dictionary elements of the British press
have Joined in the general chorus Of ap-
proval. But it win take several days for
the significance of the upheaval in Russia
to penetrate to the rank and file OF the
people
In fact one of the most curious features
Of the effect of the Russian news here has
been In the attitude Of the average English
man, who has never seriously studied the
Russian situation. This sort OF an English
man. instead OF retoioinx oxer tn ovnr-