t to determine
its own form of government, and its relation, if any, to Russia. In
Finland the Governor, Sein, was removed. A Liberal was appointed
Governor and the Finnish Diet was convened. A manifesto was issued on
March 21st, completely restoring the Finnish constitution. To the
Armenians Kerensky expressed himself as in favor of an autonomous
government for them, under Russia's protection, and on March 25th,
absolute equality of the Jews was proclaimed by the new government. A
number of Jews were made officers in the army, and two Jewish advocates
were appointed members of the Russian Senate and of the Supreme Court.
On April 4th full religious liberty was proclaimed, and on the same date
the Prime Minister promised a delegation of women that women would be
given the right to vote.

These acts caused a general subsidence of unrest, and public good
feeling was increased by the return of the political exiles and
prisoners from Siberia. A full hundred thousand of such prisoners were
released, and their progress across Siberia to Russia was one grand
triumphal march.

The most celebrated of these political prisoners were two women,
Catherine Breshkovskaya and Marie Spiridonova. Catherine Breshkovskaya
was known as the grandmother of the revolution. Forty-four years of her
life were spent in exile. When she reached Petrograd she was met at the
railroad depot by a military band, and carried in procession through the
streets. Equally popular was Marie Spiridonova, who, though still young,
had suffered martyrdom. She had been tortured with cruelty that is
unprintable. Her face had been disfigured for life. The agents who had
inflicted the torture were assassinated by the revolutionists.

It was a great day for Russia, and the outlook seemed full of promise.

CHAPTER XXXI

THE DESCENT TO BOLSHEVISM

The hopes entertained for the new Republic of Russia were doomed to
disappointment. For a short time, under the leadership of Lvov, the
Russians marched along the path of true democracy. But the pace became
too rapid.

The government prospered in Petrograd, and the economic organization of
the country proceeded with great speed. An eight-hour day was introduced
in the capital and in many other cities throughout the republic. The
fever of organization spread even to the peasants. They formed a Council
of Peasants' Deputies, modeled after the Council of Workmen and
Soldiers. On the 13th of April, 1917, came the first