In the days of the great struggle against the foreign enemies, who for nearly three years have tried to enslave our fatherland,

the Lord God has been pleased to send down on Russia a new heavy trial.

Internal popular disturbances threaten to have a disastrous effect on the future conduct of this persistent war. The destiny of Russia,

the honor of our heroic army, the welfare of the people, and the whole future of our dear

fatherland, demand that the war should be fought to a victorious conclusion, whatever the cost.

The cruel enemy is making his last efforts, and already the hour approaches

when our glorious army, together with our gallant allies, will crush him. In these decisive days

in the life of Russia, we thought it our duty of conscience to facilitate for our people the closest

union possible and a consolidation of all national forces

for the speedy attainment of victory. In agreement with the imperial Duma, we have thought it well

to renounce the throne of the Russian Empire and to lay down the supreme power. As we do not

wish to part from our beloved son, we transmit the succession to our brother,

the Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, and give him our blessing to mount the throne of the Russian

Empire. We direct our brother to conduct the affairs of state in full and inviolable union with the

representatives of the people in the legislative

bodies on those principles which will be established by them and on which he will take an inviolable

oath. In the name of our dearly beloved homeland, we call on our faithful sons of the

fatherland to fulfill their sacred duty to the fatherland, to obey the Tsar in the heavy

moment of national trials, and to help him, together with the representatives of the people,

to guide the Russian Empire on the road to victory, welfare, and glory.

May the Lord God help Russia.

Russian Emperor Nikolai II

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