Omsk newspaper "Zarja" and the governmental authorities in November 1917 - June 1919: problems of political adaptation

The article is devoted to the phenomenon of the newspaper «Zarja», which was the most cost-intensive, widely distributed, informative and independent periodical in Siberia during the Civil War. It traces the history of the newspaper, dramatically and repeatedly changes publishers, editors, ideological and political positions. The newspaper adapted to a variety of different political challenges of the epoch. The first issue of «Zarja» released on 12 November 1917 under Soviet rule. The subtitle was listed «united socialist thought». Among the publishers were the SR-volenarodtsy, Popular Socialists, Social Democrats of «Unity» (Edinstvo) and the Union of the West Siberian cooperatives, then the Union of cooperative societies of Western Siberia «Tsentrosibir». They considered themselves socialists-statists, proclaimed civil rights and freedoms, the rule of law, love for Russia and blamed Bolsheviks, who, according to their opinion, deceived the people and seized power. The Bolsheviks were called enemies of the people, criminals. As a result, «Zarja» closed at the end of January 1918. The newspaper resumed on 12 June 1918, after the anti-Bolshevik coup in Omsk. Member of the Social Democratic group «Unity» V. Fomin was elected editor. In August 1918 member of the Union of Russian Revival I. Galetsky replaced him. Both proclaimed the National idea. «Zarja» supported the Provisional Siberian Government, then paid special attention to the new political figure - Admiral A. Kolchak. Newspaper was one of the first, who accept the coup 18 November 1918 and authoritarian political regime of the Russian government. Political disagreement between publishers led to changes, «Zarja» passed on the cooperation. After it the newspaper called upon to respect for civil liberties, to development of self-government and warned against the restoration of autocracy. It appealed to A. Kolchak: went out of the way of the tyrant Napoleon and followed the true democracy of the American president Washington. However, in Siberia the influence of the military increased. As a result, the newspaper closed on 25 June 1919 by order of the Chief of Staff of the Supreme Commander, Major-General D. Lebedev. The success of the «Zarja» was the result of adaptation efforts of disparate political and cooperative groups that shared democratic and patriotic values. Thru newspaper they, being in the midst of a political struggle, sought to shape public opinion and influence the state power - the Soviet regime and the counter-revolution Provisional Siberian Government, Provisional All-Russian Government, the Russian government of Admiral A. Kolchak.