THE CZAR ABDICATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1917, Page 5

THE CZAR ABDICATES.

COMMAND OF ARMIES. TRANSFERRED TO DUKE NICHOLAS (Received March 18, 5.5 p.m. London, March 17. The Czar has abdicated, and has transferred the command of the' RusBBm armies to the Grand Duke Nicholas. The Grand Duke Michael has declined the succession. The Government is vested in the executive of the Duma. CZAR SIGNS HIS ABDICATION. DOTE'MICHAEL ACCEPTS REGENCY ]WILL ACCEPT THRONE IF DESIRED Received March 19, 5.5 p.m. London, March 17. A Jpessage by the Exchange Telegraph states that the Czar signed a proclamation of abdication at Pskoff, and that 15 copies were placarded in the town. The Central News has been informed Chat in the manifesto it is stated the C*ar is abdicating for himself and his in favor of the Grand Duke Michael. The Grand Duke Michael accepts the regency, and will accept the throne if a constituent assembly requests him so to do. STATEMENT BY MR. BONAR LAW. Received March 17, 10 p.m. London, March 17. Mr. Bonar Law, in the House of Com ; gons, regretted his statement in the ouse yesterday, which was based on a message from the Dtimc, producing the impression that the abdication of the Czar had been accomplished, although it lad been decided by the Duma executive that in the circumstances it was impossible to form an accurate estimate of ' jrbat had happened.

A REPUBLIC PROBABLE. JEXT OF THE CZAR'S' MANIFESTO. AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE. Received March 18, 5.5 p.n. London, March 17. Indications point to the establishment of a republic in Russia under, M. Lvoerf. • ./ The text of the Czar's manifesto to the people is as follows: •fn the days of the great struggle against the. foreign enemy who has been nedeavoring for three years to enslave bur country, God has been pleased to send Russia a further painful trial. Internal troubles threaten to have a fatal effect on the further _ progress of the war and the destinies of Ruscia.' The honor of her heroic army, the happiness of her people, and, the whole future of our beloved Fatherland demand that the war shall be conducted at all costs to a victorious end. The cruej enemy is making his last efforts, and the moment is now near when our valiant army, together with our glorious Allies, will finally overthrow the enemy. "In these decisive days in the life of Russia, we thought it oui duty to secure to the people the close union and organV isation of all its forces fur the realisation of speedy victory, wherefore, in agreement with the Duma, we recognised it for the good of the country to abdicate the Crown and to lay down the supreme power. "Not wishing to separate ourselves from our beloved son,, we bequeath the heritage to our brother Michael, with our blessing for the future of the throne. We bequeath it to our brother, to govern in union with the national representatives, and to take his inviolable oath to them. "In the name of our well-beloved Fatherland, we call upon all faithful sons of the Fatherland to fulfil their sacred and patriotic duty, and to obey the Czar in the painful moment of national trial, and to aid the representatives of the nation to conduct the Russian State to prosperity ■ and glory. God help Russia!" GRAf\u DUKE'S MANIFESTO. OBEDIENCE TO PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT EXHORTED. Deceived March 10, 1230 a.m. Renter Service. Fotrograd, March 17. The jrand Duke Michael issued a manifesto yesterday, in which he states he was resolved only to accept the supreme power, provided that a plebiscite of the nation, declared through its constituent assembly, agrees. Meanwhile be exhorts all Russians to obey the porvisiocal Government, DUMA'S FIRST ACT. BELEASE OP BANISHED DEPUTIES Received March 18, 5.5 p.m. Petrograd, March 17. On Thursday evening the Grand Duke Nicholas telegraphed to M. Rodzianko that, in agreement with General Alexic)T. lie had requested, the Czar to take the on v possible decision which would f«ve Russia and secure, victory. The Minister of Justice (M. Kcrenskil, addressing a largo assemblance of soldi*'* am] civilians from the Duma, .in-no-oru-isl that the first act ol the new Cov»rnment was thi publication of a ■ docee of fall amnesty to members of the pievious '>ima3 who had been illegally fcar*'ed o Siheria, and wen. released forthwith. The British. French and Italian diploiraU and mi-'iwry atta-fr* have informed the 9Mtfy'''« of !■'*•; Duma of ,tfceir «»<!'• fa' Vi TcHogsjr* the executlte as th* diivKofl'-y > Russia, snd V> tftti iato w*ii>ew relations forth-