1917. Week 15. April 10–April 16

Russkaya Volya, No. 55 (Evening Edition) The Free Association for the Dissemination of Science The Mikhailovsky Theatre was packed. On stage, familiar faces of prominent figures from the capital’s intellectual community gathered around a long table… The Chairman of the Committee, Academician V. A. Stokhlov, opened the solemn assembly with a vivid and compelling opening address… «If the Germans are our external enemy, then the enemy is internal—chiefly and above all, it is the ignorance of the people, in which the Tsars held the country for so long, so persistently, and so consciously.» The newly formed Free Association will be the first organization dedicated both to the broadest dissemination of positive knowledge and to providing all-out support for the free development of creative scientific thought… M. Gorky warmly greeted the organizing committee on behalf of the democracy to which he belonged, concluding his speech with a beautiful vision of a future illuminated by the fruits of complete popular enlightenment… The unexpected appearance on stage of A. A. Manuilov, the first Minister of Public Enlightenment, prompted thunderous applause. «A truly democratic Russia must have a completely free science. Any display of public initiative in the cause of popular enlightenment is not merely desirable—it is decisively necessary.» The Minister’s speech was met with a roaring ovation from the audience and the organizing committee. A letter from G. V. Plekhanov was read aloud, expressing regret for his absence due to illness and sending his warmest regards… The Chairman proposed welcoming Committee member I. A. Bunin and sending a telegram to the absent V. G. Korolenko. In his concluding remarks, V. A. Stokhlov pointed to the vast resources the state had acquired through the transfer of crown lands and palaces into national ownership—resources that could be utilized for the Association’s aims—and outlined the main theses of the upcoming work…

Russian Will, No. 57 (Evening Edition) Peasant Demands Numerous petitions concerning land from the peasants of Kherson, Yaroslavl, Pskov, Novgorod, Vitebsk, and other provinces are being submitted to the Executive Committee of the Council of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies. The peasants are requesting a reduction in rent and a ban on selling land until the Constituent Assembly convenes. One of the peasant resolutions states that the peasants have «exercised popular power» and are sowing private land to provide food for the army. The peasants point out that the owners of the occupied lands will be compensated at a fair valuation…

Stock Exchange Gazette, No. 16179 (Evening Edition)

Due to a complicated illness, War Minister A. I. Kuchkov shortened his tour of the front and will return to Petrograd from the headquarters this evening at 6 p.m.

Members of the company committee of the Moscow regiment have appealed to the War Minister to take care of the civilian wives and their civilian children of reservists…

On Thursday, April 13, there will be an interesting concert-rally at the «Musical Drama» Theater, organized by the All-Russian Union of Orchestrators in favor of political exiles and victims of the revolution. The orchestra, conducted by A. K. Glazunov and S. A. Kusevitsky, will be magnificent: consisting of 250 people. Revolutionary songs of the allied nations will be performed by ladies Messal, Meichik, Abramyan, Petrenko, Ribone, Rogers, Scorcherletti, and by Messrs. Ershov and Bosse. Ladies Breshko-Breshkovskaya, Vera Figner, and Messrs. Adzhemov, Balmont, Gorky, Kerensky, and Morozov will participate in the rally.

…The composer S. V. Rachmaninoff composed «Hymn of Liberty» for choir and orchestra.

On April 19, O. A. Kerenskaya, the wife of the Minister of Justice, is organizing a large concert at the Mikhailovsky Theater, the proceeds of which will go to political exiles…

Bourse Gazette, No. 16181 (Evening Edition)

A year ago, this piece first appeared in our capital and caused quite a stir. It was one of Chinese’s first grandiose productions that Europe had never seen before. But then, as is our custom, the Russian censor laid his heavy hand on Senkiewicz’s literary work, as well as the artistic creations of the director and the actors. The beautiful image of Christ, which appeared repeatedly in the painting as a ghostly vision, was mercilessly cut out. The Apostle Peter, delivering a sermon among Christians, met the same fate. A segment illustrating the people’s revolt against Nero was also removed. Now, all of this is presented in its entirety, and of course, the painting has benefited from it.

Izvestiya of the Petrograd Council of Workers and Soldiers' Deputies, No. 40 Workers' Holiday of May 1st …The Council of Workers and Soldiers' Deputies resolved to observe the May 1st holiday this year on the new style, on April 18th, the day when the proletariat holiday is celebrated in all countries of Western Europe… The Council of Workers and Soldiers' Deputies resolved that the proletariat must celebrate April 18th by completely stopping work… However, so that this holiday would not interfere with the interests of the revolution (specifically defense and food supply), the Council proposed to the working comrades that they voluntarily forgo celebrating Sunday, April 16th. This decision does not mean that workers will have to make up for April 18th on April 16th… The Council adopted a different resolution: On April 16th, no one should work for themselves; the entire earnings of that day must be given by the proletariat for their common cause, for the needs of the revolution. The Council does not predetermine how the money should be spent by each individual factory or plant. The decision on this matter is left to the discretion of each group of workers. The earnings from April 16th can be used for gifts for our brothers in the trenches, for revolutionary literature, for socialist propaganda, or for setting up workers' clubs… The Petrograd Council’s decision was joined by the meeting of professional unions and political parties in Moscow. Telegrams arrive daily regarding the accession of provincial Councils to this decision…

Theater and Art, No. 16 A Few Words in Defense of the Actor’s Religious Sensibility (A letter to the editor) Is the long-awaited freedom granted to the people only so that they can trample upon God’s laws? Must art, with this desired freedom, turn into pornography? With a heavy heart, I must note that everywhere one sees announcements such as: «Sensational Picture: Rasputin and Alexandra Feodorovna in Intimate Relations,» and so on. This is beneficial for entrepreneurs, but surely, during these first great days of freedom, could the pursuit of profit and pornography have been set aside so that people could rejoice that God helped break the heavy chains that have burdened humanity for centuries? To the delegates and artists! I am addressing you! Have you thought thoroughly before passing a resolution regarding the free staging of plays during Holy Week? No, you have not! For Holy Week was established not by a former monarchical regime, but by the believing Christian people, as a sign of the suffering of Jesus Christ. Is it possible to offend the feelings of religious people during such great days of prayer with productions of various «Black Eagles,» Rasputins, and the like?Actor Ilya Gogin

Birzhevye Vedomosti, No. 16187 (Evening Edition) Parade and Demonstration of Disabled Veterans By nine in the morning, Kazanskaya Square was completely occupied by disabled veterans. A sea of grey greatcoats, many hands and legs wrapped in bandages, thousands of canes and crutches, bandaged heads—this entire grey mass of soldiers was organized into ranks of eight people deep, marching in neat lines toward the Tauride Palace. Numerous red banners fluttered in the air. Many of these banners bore highly significant slogans: «The Fatherland is in danger! The blood we have spilled demands a war until victory! Comrades-soldiers, to the trenches immediately! Return Lenin to Wilhelm!» Around two in the afternoon, the overwhelming majority of disabled veterans joined the call to send Lenin back to Germany and to have him promote propaganda among the Germans in favor of a swift end to the war.