NEW GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1917, Page 5

NEW GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME.

EQUALITY AND UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE. FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PRESS. (Received March IS, 5.5 p.m. Petrograd, March 17. The Czar abdicated at midnight 0:1 Thursday, on behalf of himself and the Czarevitch, in favor of the Grand Duke Micnael. The latter abdicated on Friday afternoon. The Provisional Government, in a manifesto to the Russians, refers to the triumph over the noxious forces of the old regime, and state* that, the Cabinet's policy will be as follows:—An immediate general amnesty for all political f.nd religious officers: freedom of speech and for the press; the association of Ichor organisations, with freedom to strike: extension of these liberties to officials and troops so far as military tcchrJeal conditions permit; the. abolition of cJ] social, religious, and national restrictions; immediate preparations for summoning a constituent assembly based on universal, suffrage, which will est&biish a governmental regime and the constitution far the country. The programme provides for the Destitution for police - of- the National Militia, with elective heads, and subject to self-governing bodies. The communr.l elections will be based .on universal suffrage. The revolutionary troops shell not be disarmed, but,they are not to leave 'Petrograd. The'equalisation of soldiers' social rights with those of the citizens as notified above. The reforms .are to bo instituted without delay, ACTION OF OCTOBERISTS. MAKING SURE OF THE ARMY. BEFORE STARTING REVOLUTION. Received March 18, 5.5 p.m. Stockholm, March 17. The Social Demarkaraten states that the leaders of the October party, before the outbreak of the revolution, visited headquarters and conferred with a number of generals. They were also received by the Czar, and had a conference with the Grand Duke Michael, the Oetoberist'3 gaining the impression that the whole of the "army would join, provided the revolution could bo, finished within a week, in order not to interfere with war operations in any marked degree. When the leaders returned to Petrograd the revolution broke out. , . Neutral eye-witnesses state that public opinion in the larger towns is entirely in favor of the revolution, demanding a more vigorous prosecution of the war until victory is assured.

SIGNS pF THE CONFLICT. TROOPS JOE. THE REBELLION. A FIERCE FIGHT. HIDDEN MINISTERS HANDED OVER. -.oecived March 18, 5.5 p.m. London, March 17. The Times' special correspondent at Petrograd states that the only visible signs of the desperate conflict are the charred ruins of the gaol, tlie remains of the police institute and the gutted houses of a few individuals who were regarded as offenders' against the people's rights. The first troops which mutinied were the VoVkyuski regiment, at 5 o'clock on Sunday. They refused to shoot the strikers, and slew their officers. Another regiment which waj sent against the mutineers joined the revolt. The news spread to the barracks, and four more regiments joined. They seized the fortress, stormed the artillery depot, and opened the gaols, the fighting beiii'? incessant until noon on Tuesday, the in' surgents winning a pitched battle on the Morekaya. Numerous regiments shot their officers. The last loyal regiment surrendered at the Admiralty on Tuesday, handing over the hidden Ministers, after the beseiged had floured in rifle and machine-gun fire. The furious battle ended with exultant shouts, and the triumphant strains of the Russian revolutionary Marseillaise.

A THOUSAND CASUALTIES. LATE GOVERNMENT'S MANIFESTO. Received March 19, 12.30 a.m. Petrograd,.March 17. The number of casualties is estimated at one thousand killed and wounded. Although there was no. rioting at the outset of the revolution, the Government used unnecessary violence. Three hundred casualties were absolutely unprovoked. VON STURMER'S END. REPORTED DIED FROM FRIGHT. Received March 18, 5:5 p.m, 'Paris, March .17. Le Tempi' Petrograd correspondent states that von Sturmer died of fright after his "arrest. STANDING FOR FOOD. PRICES PROHIWTIVE, Received March 16, 8 p.m. London, March lti. The latest despatch from Petrograd says that for week'- people were obliged to stand for five hour?, in -10 degrees of frost, waiting to bin broad. Evan .'Jt»n they ' eiiwn'i'y 'ere ■>••• »SV. ».> 01-S'n any ToVfiiOiw y.it r-i V '',_.;.. Offer than -<;i>v»l v J .Yiis .b« .■:_" ,-/, i>;/p HWS I'-.VVJ'^iV'.Vv!..-"'^'.