The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-22
MAY RIOT IN ST. PETERSBURG.
BIG LABOR DEMONSTRATION
THERE NEXT WEEK.
Workmen 1nsoient 10 Their Employers
and Threats Manifestations PrOcIa.
nations - Police Protection Asked.

and Threats Manifestations PrOcla'
nations - Police Protection Asked
Special Gable Despatch TO THE SUN.
LONDON, May 2l-The simmering 'discon-
tent ehgendered by the miserable social
conditions under which the poor live In
Russia threatens to crop out in dangerous
form In St. Petersburg next week unless
preparations to check 1t are made. az they
probably will, be on such scale az to swamp
the huge labor demonstration which is be-
leved to be secretly organizing for Thurs
day, Friday and Saturday.
These are the days fixed for popular
commemoration OF the two hundredth an
niversary OF the founding Of the capital OF
Peter the Great. According to letters re-
ceived from st. Petersburg, revolutionary
emssaries are arranging that the labor
demonstration that was originally de-
signed to be held on May shall coincide
with the popular fetes, and as it Is feared
that the demonstration will result in serious
disorder the administrative authorities are
much concerned
The police have requested the owners
OF workshops and factories not to grant
holiday to their employees during the
fetes, but it is most improbable that such
a refusal will deter the employees from
taking a holiday
During the last few weeks it has been
noticeable that the working classes have
assumed an unusually insolent attitude
toward their employers. Sometimes covert
threats have been spoken 80 the employers
could not avoid hearing them.
Moreover, the workshops are being in
undated with sedit GUS proclamatons,
which declare that the Car in his procla-
nation OF March II made preten:e Of
being animated by a desire to do some
thing to ameliorate the lot Of the peasants,
but In reality he has done nothing
The workman are further told that the
Car cares still less for them, and that they
should urge their claims themselves.
These proclamations. which are couched
in language most insulting to the Emperor.
Empress, the Government and the police
are extensively read by the workingmen.
When they are thrown away by their
readers, who are careful that they are not
found in their possession, they are collected
by hundreds at the instance Of the en-
ployers and sent to the police.
The employers are asking for police pro-
lection during the bicentenary celebra-
tlOHb. IHey IIldt lIlSlI ttHpioSeV-S'
besides taking part In any disturbance that
may occur. will attack them.
Their threats are regarded as all the more
to be feared owing to the fact that last
week the burning of part Of large
workshop in St. Petersburg, entailing
loss Of about 8OO. 900 ruhlos. is attributed
to the malice of workmen.
The employees are demanding an in
crease in wages, a reduction of their hours
of work, the right of association and the
organization of lnutual-aid banks The
warehousemen and shopkeepers of st.
Petersburg have decided to close during
the fetes.
Political arrests continue to be made in
ST. Petersburg. The police have dis
covered another secret printing Office and
have seized quantity of seditious leaflets
The riot at Kishineff is reflected in ST.
Petersburg financially. A great number
of bills drawn upon Kish,neff traders have
been protested Moscow. for textile goods
alone. is alleged to have lost more than
1 10000 rlbles. while LODI is interested
TO the extent Of nearly 10000 rubles.