The San Francisco call., 1904-12-12

students seemed to swarm toward the
corner of the Hotel Europe, opposite
the Kazan Cathedral. The police,
recognizing that the critical moment
was approaching, tried in vain TO keep
back the human tide.
Then, when there was not single
mounted policeman in sight. on the
stroke Of l. from the heart of the
thickly wedged crowd a blood red
flag, like a Jet Of fame, suddenly shot
up. 1t was the signal Other flags ap-
peared in the crowd, waving fran
tically overhead. and they were
greeted with a hoarse roar: Down
with autocracy.' The students surged
into the streets singing the "Marseil-
laise," while innocent spectators, seek
ing to eXtricate themselves. crowded
into doorways and Rugged the wall.
NUMEROUS ARRESTS.
The ferment continued all day and
far into the night So far there have
been more than 100 arrests.
Tonight the students Of the Poly
technique and other institutions held
meetings, at which fiery speeches were
made in favor Of reform and the con-
vocation of a national assembly.
The greatest distress is expressed by
conservative Liberals over the days
events, all declaring that just when
the fate of the Zemstvo programme
was in the balance, such a fruitless
outbreak viii be sure to prejudice
every observer and put the strongest
weapon in the hands Of the bureau
cratic reactionaries.
That such demonstrations of the So
cial-Democratic labor party are not
confined to the capital is shown by a
letter received here from a prominent
Zemstvoist in Southern Russia, in
which the writer says:
The optimism with which we left st. Peters
burg is beginning TO vanish The Government
way and enter frankly the path of reform
On the contrary. there seems TO be hesitation
as TO whether II would not be better 10 return
10 the path Of reaction. The Government
seems unable to comprehend the real state Of
popular feeling, the Importance Of decisive ac-
ton and the disastrous consequences Of pro-
crastination. The people Of this province are
In q state OF great excitement. Large meetings
have taken place in many towns and very spe-
cihc resolutions have been adopted but the bad
feature OF the situation is the attitude of the
workmen.
Incited by the underground press of Geneva
and Paris. which declares Itself in complete
sntagonism 20 the moderate demands of the
Zemstvo, II prOclaims a definite socialist pro-
gramne declaring II wants not political but
social freedom. 1t will therefore be the policy
OF the Government IL il decides TO concede
nothing 70 IL. TO foster such 0isEensiOnS be-
tween the Zenstvo and the Labor party.
The Government. confident OF its ability TO
repress revolutionary attacks by force of arms
and apprehending no real danger from the
workingmen. use their antagonism to us
as an argument against the expediency Of
granting the reforms demanded by the moder-
ates on the ground that they are not in real
sympathy with the wishes OF the people.
Following is the text of the procla-
nation of the Social Democratic labor
party calling attention to to-day's
demonstration:
We nave raised cur voices calling for bet
ter things, but the Government has turned a
draw out a laborous existence a condition
worse than convicts while they convert mil
lions into smoke and sacrifice thousands of
,vorkmen's lives under incompetent generals.
We are shedding our blood for torturers,
while they are entering into a shameless bar
gain with wealthy landlords and Zemstyoists.
Enough We cannot endure 1t longer. We
an end Of and government by repre-
sentatfves of the people
Long live the Social-Democracy. Down with
the war; Down with autocracyi
All who are ready to fight for our demands,
assemble In front Of the Kazan Cathedral at
o'clock
An official statement issued tonight
with reference to the rioting to-day
says:
During the confusion ana jostling the demon
were compelled TO beat back the rioters with
the nat OF their swords. The rioting naturally
was not suppressed without casualties, but none
were serious.