LATE WAR NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1917, Page 4

LATE WAR NEWS.

fi* Pbiss Association. —Copybighi THE CZAR ABDICATES Message to the Nation

LONDON, March n. The following is 'the text of tne Tsar’s manifesto to his people : “In these days of rthe great struggle against a foreign enemy who has endeavoured for three years to enslave our country, God lias been ploasea w send the Russians a further painful trial in internal troubles which threaten to have a fatal effect on the further progres of the war. The destinies of Russia, the honour of her heroic army, the happiness of the people and the whole future of our beloved Fatherland demand that the war be conducted alt all costs to a victorious end.

Our cruel enemy is making his last efforts and the moment, is near when our glorious army and our valiant Allies will finally overthrow the enemy. In these decisive days in the life Russia we thought it our duty to secure to the people a close union in tho organisation of all its forces for the the realisation of a speedy victory, Wherefore in agreement wth the Duma we recognised it for the good of the country to abdicate bne Crown and lay down supreme power. Not wishing (to separate ourselves from our beloved son we bequeathed the heritage to our Brother Michael, with our blessing for tho future of the throne and we bequeathed it to ouar Brother to govern in full union with the national representatives afiid !to take his inviolable oath to them in the name of our well-bclovcd Fatherland. We call upon all faithful sons of the Fatherland to fulfil.their sacred, patriotic- duty and to obey the Tsar in this painful moment of (national trial to aid him with representatives in tho national conduct of the Russian State in any prosperity and glory. God help Russia.” RETRO GRAD, March 17.

The Tsar abdicated at midnight on Thursday on behalf of himself and the Tsarvitch in favour of the Grand Duke Michael. The latter adbdico\ted on Friday afternoon. Another Manifesto PETRO'GRAD, March X/. The Provisional Government, in a manifesto to the Russian people, refers tto (the triumph over the obnoxious forces of ithe old regime, and states that the Cabinet’s policy will cover tno following:

An immediate general amnesty to all political and religious officers; freedom of speech in the press • the association of labour organisations; freedom of strike, and theexjtensioto eff these liberties to officials and troops, so far as military and technical conditions will permit; the abolition of all social and religious and national restrictions; immediate preparation for the summoning of a comsttuent Assembly based upon universal suffrage, which will establish governmental regime and the constitution of the country. Thei programme provides a substitution for the police by National Militia with elective heads and subject to self governing bodies. ffllie (communal elections will be based upon universal suffrage. Revolutionary troops shall not be disarmed, but they shall not leave Pe-

trograd. There shall be the equalisation of soldiers social rights with citizens, iers social rights with citizens*. It is notified that these reforms will be instituted without delay. The Only Way PETROGRAD, March 17. On Thursday evening the Cfrand Duke Nicholas 'telegraphed M. Roazianko that in agreement with General Alexicff he requested the Tsar to -take the only possible decision which would save Russia and secure a victory. PETROGRAD, March 17. The Minister of Justice, M. Korenski, in addressing a large assemblage of soldiers an dcivilians from the Duma announced that the first act of the new Government would be the publication of a decree of full amnesty to members of the previous Dumas illegally banished to Siberia, who woidd be released forthwith.

• PETROU.KAD, March 17. Tire British, French and Italian diplomats and military attaches have their readiness to recognise the Executive as the sole authority in Russia, and to enter into business relations forthwith. Destroyer Sunk LONDON - , March 16. The Admiralty reports that an old type of destroyer was mined and sunk yesterday in the Channel. Ono man was killed, and there aro 28 missing. All the officers were saved. German Report LONDON, March 16. A wireless German Official message says:—Ro peated strong French attacks northward ond north of Monastir penetrated a narrow stretch west of Nizopole, but elsewhere they failed, and we repulsed Flench advances between Ochrida and Lake Prespa. WASHINGTON, March 16.

Reports from American representatives abroad indicate thatt the Russan revolution may reach strong measures to deal with this kind of Hellenes, ana that perhaps abdications and the collapse of Turkey are probable in view of the conditions ensuing from the British victories. Food Supply LONDON, March 16. In .the House of Commons Mr Bonar Law stated in connestion with the withdrawal of men from the army for agriculture, the Cabinet had informed the War Office and the Board of Agriculture that it regarded tlio production of food as even more important than the sending of additional men to the army. LONDON, March 17. The Food Controller limits manufacturers’ use. of sugar during 1917 to 4o per cent oftlte quantity used in 1915. This restriction does not apply to makers of jam, marmalade or condensed milk.