| Show freedom for forThe forThe The Russians Czar a Decree Granting Religious Liberty Through Throughout out Ills Ream Also Establishing nu a 0 Measure of Local Loco Self Government GovernmentS S T 5 1 1St rr S St March 12 cm erA cra las has 1 as Leaned famed n a decree providing for tor freedom of ot religion throughout lila lilu dominions dominion d establishing to some lo Ic local cat cal salt solf government and waking making other concession ion to 10 the village committees After Atter referring to the efforts of ot his Ills predecessors particularly Mt his father tather to 10 odd add to the tue welfare of ot the th the tho cIr esar announces his decision to 10 grant Brunt of ot religion to all 1111 his lila subjects who prof IS g find and to Improve the conditions condition of ot village life ute and those of ot the local nobility rind and peasantry i IAmon Among Amon the tho measures outlined by the czar for tor the attainment of or these ends en s la is reform of ot the rural laws which la i s to t bo Ij tl with the advice of at persona v who ho hio possess the confidence of at tho the people The Th system of ot administration l In the tho various governments and districts Is he to bo be b examined by representatives of ot tie tho different localities concerned with the tha View of ot effecting the necessary amend amendments ments monte S Measures arc are also to be taken to t relieve r JI e the thi th peasantry of ot the tho burdens of o forced labor laborThe The lie decree which bleh was 1118 as Issued in III commemoration of ot the anniversary of ot the birthday of ot Alexander III m is considered to be the most moat significant act of ot stats state since the emancipation of at the serfs The T e public hall ball It as ns the proclamation llon of ot ofa ofa a n new area areD opening up bright ht prospects for tor tile the early Improvement of ot Hussion Internal administration S TIlE THE TEXT OP Or TUB TIt IS AS FOLLOWS On ascending n the throne of or our aUr by the providence of Ot God we wem made m tle a I solemn vow before betor the tue Almighty anti ant our conscience to 10 sacredly guard tho pillars of ot power and ant to dedicate our life Ute to the this ser serico vice ico of ot aur ur beloved fatherland In Indefatigable solicitude for tor our subjects We Wo chose In order to the of ot our ur people the way Indicated by bythe bythe bythe the memorable deeds of or our predecessors especially our toil ten father God pleased to Interrupt the UC deeds ed of ot out cur father tat her by his early earl death and thus laid on us the sacred duty dUly dut of ot completing the consolidation of ot order and truth begun by b him him In conformity with the th exigencies of ot national life lire The Tie troubles agitating our country Which to our deep d ep regret have havo partly been beenson sown son by designs hostile to tho the state and partly narthy I engendered by doctrines for tor foreign eign to life lite hinder the general work of ot ameliorating amell the of oC our people These troubles confuse the lie public mind remove the people from tram productive labor loboI und anti often otten ruin families dear to our heart henrt and young oung energies among high and low necessary to the Internal development of at the country In lit demanding the fulfillment of ot this our will while remaining strongly op on opposed posed to any violation of ot tile the normal course COUre of ot national life lite and anti having conn confidence thence dence that all nil will loyally discharge their local duties we are arc Irrevocably de Ic decided to satisfy the needs for tor which tho thur state Mate line has become ripe and have hao It expedient to strengthen and a fl j the undeviating observance o oC ot the principles of It tolerance lerance t laid lal down don by the fundamental haws of or the empire which recognizing the orthodox church as a s the ruling one ont to grant grunt to tn all of our subjects of ot other religions and to foreign persuasions freedom Creed om of oC creed cleed and anti worship In accordance with other oIlier rights and Me we e are further re resolved resolve solved solve to continue the active carrying out of ot pleasures for the Improvement of ot the material position of ot the orthodox rule clergy while enabling them to take a 1 larger share In Intellectual and public nubIle life lite In accordance with Impending measures for tor the consolidation of ot the na national national economy the efforts of 01 the state credit Institutions and especially the nobles and peasants hank bank to be devoted to strengthening the welfare and fun tun fundamental pillars of ot Hussion village life and that of at the local nobility and peas pens peasantry peasantry antry These principles marked out by us for tor tha this revision of ot the laws Ills of Ot the tho rural population are when formulated to be referred to provincial he govern government government ment meat councils council FO so that with tho the assistance of ot persons enjoying the publics confidence they the may mn be further developed and LInd adapted to the special condi condl conditions conditions of ot Individual localities In this work the fundamental principle of ot the inviolability of ot communal property Is to be maintained while at nt the same time means are aro to be found to render it easier casler for tor the Individual to sever connections with the community to which he ho h belongs If It he lie so desires Without delay measures must be taken 16 to release the peasants from tho the present burdensome liability of at forced labor Thorough reform Is to be effected In tho the provincial governments and die dis district dietrict administrations by the local representatives while attention will b be de devoted devoted voted to securing closer cloer cooperation between the communal authorities and anti parochial trustees of ot the orthodox churches wherever possible Calling upon all 1111 our subjects to cooperate in strengthening the moral foundations of ot family school and public life lite under which alone the of ot the tho people and the confidence of ot every eer one in tie the stability of ot his rights can develop ve we e command our ministers dad and chief officials concerned In this matter to submit to Us tie their views regarding the execution of ot our intentions Although the Jewish faith Is not specifically mentioned In the czars decree It Is ha believed that the liberty granted to all nIl creeds Is Intended to include the Jews |
