Page:The Bohemian Review, vol2, 1918.djvu/150

 in its appeal to the Russian citizens declared that the Czechoslovaks did not want to fight workingmen and peasants, that they did not want to make war against the soviet government, that they were merly [sic] trying to get to Vladivostok to proceed to the French front where they intend to continue their struggle against the German imperialism and militarism.

The people manifested extreme sympathy toward the Czechoslovaks and showered upon them gifts and flowers.

On Saturday, June 8th, the city commandant posted an order which stated: “Upon instructions from the Czechoslovak commander I declare a state of siege in the city: I forbid all assemblies of citizens; all appearance on the streets after nine o’clock in the evening. I order the organization of city militia for the patrolling of the streets and the restoration of complete order and peace. Chairman of the ward committees and the former commander of the militia are instructed to report to me and to surrender within 24 hours all guns, machine guns, rifles, cartridges and hand grenades. I call upon the representative of the city food bureau to take charge of provisioning the city. Full freedom of press and speech is permitted. Whoever violates these orders will be brought before a military court which may inflict the punishment of death. Thieves and robbers will be shot on the spot.” On Sundey [sic] the papers appeared again.

Steamers lying in the port were allowed to proceed in any direction. The railroad station was placed in charge of a commander selected by the Czechoslovaks. The shops were closed on Saturday, but repair of railroad cars went on as usual. The track damaged by bombardment was rapidly reconstructed. There was very little rolling stock in the yards, most of the locomotives and cars having been evacuated.

In the meantime it became known late on Saturday that a committee of the members of the Constituent Assembly had been formed. Order No. 1 signed by members of the Constituent Assembly elected for the province of Samara declared: “In the name of the Constituent Assembly the Bolshevik rule in the city and province of Samara is declared to be overthrown. All commissioners are deprived of their offices and organs of local self-government dissolved by the Bolsheviki are reinstated in their functions: the city council and the provincial administration are called upon to take up their duties.

All civil and military power in the city and province, until there are competent officials appointed by the rightful All-Russian government, is taken over by the committee composed of members of the Constituent Assembly for the province of Samara and of the representatives of the local authorities. All persons and organizations must yield to them implicit obedience.

The formation of the army and military command for the safeguarding of order in the city and province is entrusted to the military staff composed of three members who are hereby given full powers.

All restrictions introduced by the Bolshevik forces are abrogated, and freedom of speech, press and assembly is restored. The office of the commissioner of press with all his staff is abolished. Commissioners and persons in charge of soviet offices are called upon to deliver within three days all property and papers in their possession to representatives of this committee. Whoever abandons his office without first surrendering the official property in his charge, will be severely punished.

The revolutionary tribunal, being an organ not compatible with truly democratic principles, is abolished and district courts are hereby restored.

All employees of office that are not here by abolished are called upon to continue their work.

We appeal to all citizens to gather around the All-Russian Constituent Assembly, in order that law, peace and order might be re-established in the land. United, independent, free Russia—all power to the Constituent Assembly—these are the aims of the new revolutionary Government.”

Next day was posted order No. 2 which declared: “The committee, having taken upon itself the protection of the suppressed rights of the citizens and of the Constituent Assembly, is fully conscious of its great responsibility to the people to protect and restore organs of the rightful government against the approaching Bolshevik and German bands. Therefore in the name of the Constituent Assembly we order the military staff to proceed most rapidly to the formation of a disciplined and strong army, to take formal steps for the protection of the city and call out all neces-