Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-12-12
DEMONSTRATION INST. PETERS
RURG

BURG.
Every newspaper in st. Petersburg
yesterday contained large advertise
mcnt signed BY the head of tine police
warning the people that disturbances
were likely and that it was best to keep
OF the streets.
Yesterday afternoon there was an
auti-war demonstration by the same stu
dents who clamored so loudly for war ten
months ago. The demonstration re-
suited in a number of broken heads and
many arrests, but probably has no real
political effect.
The newspaper warning, by giving
notice to those not apprised OF the pro-
spects OF a demonstration. defeated The
very object for which they were design
ed, attracting, seemingly, the whole
population of 81. Petersburg to the broad
thoroughfare, and long before the our
Fixed, despite the pleading OF the police,
who literally lined the sidewalks, the
thrOngs on the pavement we're so dense
that movement was almost impossible,
while the snow-covered boulevard was
black with tangled mass Of sleighs
filled mostly with the curious.
On the sidewalks we're practically the
whole student body of the capital, in
Guiding many young women, who have
alsays been prominent in Russia in
liberal revolutionary movements, and
also thousands of workingmen belonging
to the social democratic labor party.
Toward O'Clock the workingnen and
students seemed to- swarm toward the
corner of the Hotel Europa. opposite the
Cathedral. The police, recognizing
that the critical moment was approach
ing, tried in vain TO keep back the hu-
man tide.
Then, when there was not single
mounted policeman in sight. on the
stroke of one, from the heart Of the
thickley wedged crowd a bood-red flag,
like jet of fame, suddenly shot up. 1t
was the signal. Other flags appeared in
the crowd, waved franticaIiy overhead,
aud they we're greeted with hoarse
roar. "Down with autocracy !"
The students surged into the street
singing the "Marseillaise," while limo.
cent spectators, seeking to extricate
themselves, crowded into doorways and
Rugged walls. Dismounted police tried
to force their way into the crowd to
wrest the flags from the demonstrators,
but the students and workmen, armed
with sticks, stood close and beat back
their ASSISTANTS.
Then, like fash, from behind the
Kazan Cathedral came squadron of
pendarmcrie. The doors OF adjoining
courtyalls we're thrown back aud bat.
talions Of police came out. A double
squadron charged the flank of the demon
strators with drawn sabers. Five other
squadrons circled the mob, cutting
through the fringe of spectators, who
gladly scurried to cover.
The main wedge of the demonstrators
stood fast only moment or two. There
was sharp rattle of cudgels aud sabers,
though the wounds showed that the
police struck principally with the fats OF
their sabers.
The women were especially fierce in
their resistance. Many were struck and
trampled, aud blood streamed down their
faces.
While the mob stood those within
managed to throw undre Is OF revolution
airy procamations over the heads OF their
fellows. The police urged their horses
fiercely into the crowd, driving those who
resisted into the courtyard, the Hotel
Europa and the church.
The intense excitement lasted abont
ten minutes, after which mounted squads
Of the gendarmerie patrolle1 the streets
and the policemen devoted themse Ives to
keeping The crowd moving.
According to Information received III
St. Petersburg, the anta-war feeling and
hostility to autocracy is not confined 70
that city, but is spreading in other sec
tions of the Russian empire.