Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1919 edition. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX I DECLARATION OF THE PROGRESSIVE BLOC In November, 1915, all the Moderate Parties in the Two Houses formed a "Progressive Bloc," which drew up and submitted to the Government an important "Declaration" embodying a program of policy and reform which, if it had been accepted, would have staved off, and perhaps prevented, the Revolution. Here is the text of the Declaration: The undersigned representatives of parties and groups of the State Council and Duma, moved by the conviction that only a strong, firm, and active authority can lead the country to victory, and that such authority can only be one based upon popular trust and, as such, capable of organizing the active co-operation of all citizens, have come to the unanimous conclusion that the most important and urgent task of establishing such an authority cannot be realized without compliance with the following conditions: The creation of a united Government composed of individuals enjoying the confidence of the country and union with the legislative bodies for carrying out a definite program at the earliest date. Decisive change of methods of administration, which have hitherto been based upon distrust of public independent action,1 in particular (a) strict introduction of the principle of law in administration; (6) abrogation of dual authority, military and civil, in questions that have no direct relation to the conduct of military operations; (c) extension of local government; (d) a wise and continuous policy directed towards the preservation of domestic peace and the removal of discord between nationalities and classes. For the realization of such a policy the following measures must be adopted both in administrative and in legislative channels: I. The cessation, by the...