The sun., 1917-05-06
NO ANNEXATION,
RUSSIANSAGREE
WOrkmen and Soldiers
Force Explanation OF
Pledge to Allies.
DUMA SOON TO CONVENE
Great Victory for Democracy
Claimed by PetrOgrad
Press.
DUMA SOON TO CONVENE


Press.
PErRooRAD, May 1.-THE Duma. It is
announced, will be convoked in extraor-
dinary session Immediately. This Will be
the fret time the Duma has met since
the revolution which overthrow the Ro-
manor dynasty.
The sitting Of the Grand Council OF the
workmen's and soldiers delegates ended
late last night after the delegates
had discussed a supplementary COM
munication from the provisional Gov
ernment explaining the note OF May
to the Allies Tho council passed
Il resolution declaring that the Gov
ernment's new note. which It VIII
send to the Allies. puts an end to all IN
terpretatons of the note of May i. con-
trary to the interests and aims or the
revolutionary democracy. The council
passed u vote of confidence in the Gov
crnment by a majority Of 50. About
$500 delegates voted.
This action followed a declaration by
the provisional Government. through
Premier Lvofr. that It declined to modify
the note sent TO the Allies. The Gov
ernment declared that the Ministers
were prepared TO resign their posts II
necessary.
Another resolution was adopted by the
council declaring that the policy or an
rexatlon for the first time had been
made the subject OF international dis
cussons. and this fact should be con-
s!dered AN important victory for democ-
racy.
Against Annexation.
The resolution concluded:
..The executive committee, While as
serting It's unalteraOle determination not
to make peace except on these condi-
lions. appeals TO the entire revolution
a-y democracy OF Russia to rally round
,hc council of workmen's and soldiers
delegates. and declares its Nrm aseur-
ance that the peoples OF all the bel
lgerent countries will he able to over
come the resistance OF their govern
n7en:s and force them to enter upon ne
gotiatiors for peace on the basis OF
remuneration OF all annexations and IN
IDENTITIES"
The expla nation Of the note Of May l
which the provisional Government gave
20 TIE council and which will be for
warded to the allied Governments fo!-
lows.
The rote was subjected to lorg And
! detailed examination by the prov'siona
I Government and was unanimously ap'
| proved II was obvious that this note
/ in speaking Of A decisive victory, had ir
! view a solution OF the problems which
we're mentioned in the communication o!
| Apr! 9, which were thus specihed:
For Durable Peace.
! The Government deems II 70 be IL:
right and duty to declare now that fre'
! Russia does not aim Mt the domination
/ o. Other nations or at deprivirg ther
rf their rational patrinony or at occu
pyirg lay force foreign territories. bu
that its object is TO establish durable
peace on the basis OF the rights OF ma
I lions 10 decide their own destiny
THE Russian nation does not lust
after the strengthening OF its power
abroad at the expense OF other nations
Its aim Is not to subjuRate or humiltatt
any one. In the name OF the higher prin
ciples OF equity the Russian people have
broken the chains which fettered th'
Polish nation, but il will not suffer thai
its own country shall emerge from thu
great struggle Inundated or weakened
In its vital force.
In referring TO the penalties ant
tho provisional Gov ernment had In view
tho reduction of armaments. the cstah
ishment OF international tribunals, e
ce.cra. This explanation will he com
'muncated BY the Minister OF Ioreg'
Affairs TO the Ambassadors OF the allie
Powers"
Victory for Democracy.
The newspapers, Liberal and S"cialis'
comment on yesterdays settlement a.
great victory for democracy. At IN
same time they counsel moderate an
the preservation Of good relations Wit
the Provisional Government IN the In
tercsts of internal peace. Maxim Gorky'
Noraid Zhisn says:
"The experiment government was
failure. Democracy should feel satisfied
But valuable time has been lost am
: the country Is nearer wreck. Democrac
whose desire is peace. which is the onl
safety for the country. must not be pas
sive It's duty is not only u prevent
repetition Of experiments IKE that u
April 2s, but 1t must insist upon i'm
mediate further steps by the Govern
, ment toward peace. A new programm
OF peace without annexation or indenl
nifty must be offered In the near futur
to the Allies and requested by the Go,
t ernment IN the name OF the Russia
, ,, people"
: The Lyet says: The revolution Ia
achieved another victory. II has r.
ceived from the temporary Governmcr
a categorical reputation Of expropri;
ton and contributions. AS soon as tn
declara ton was published the Bolshtt
iskv (the most radical OF the Social
group demanded from the Govc:nmeI
the rupture of the treaties concluded b.
tween Russia and her allies before II
revolution The old regime was ready
break these treaties to save the mo,
archy Democracy criticised the dema NJ
OF the RolSherisky az 1t criticised Il
work OF the old regime"
had Peace" Preferred.
The Edenstro says that bad pea
is better than u good Quarrcl ana th
those who do not desire civil war Shou
be careful not 20 make agreements.
cautions against listening to suggestion
of separate peace. which II says noboc
wants except some irresponsible pc
Pile"
The VOLTA says; We have go
crnmcnt and at the same time 10 10
ernment. For one has either to trt
the Government and allow l; 10 wo
unhindercd or dismiss 1t and replace
by one In full authority which can wo
Independently. Unfortunately. the ori
inal relations of tho democracy, or
least some circles Of the democracy, a
the temporary Government have becoi
changed. These circles now no Ions