New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-06-30
RIPE FOR REVOLUTION.
Russia Strainng Every Nerue to
1rert Disaster

ST Petersburg. June 30-The Russian govern
ment although It has been almost paralyzed by
the terrible events at Odessa and the news that
the sailors at Libau also have mutined, is max
ing desperate and even frantic efforts TO meet
the situation and to stamp out the flames of
revolution before they can spread to the army,
which is now the last bulwark of the autocracy
With Poland red with the spirit Of revolt. the
Caucasus already almost in state of civil war.
agrarian disorders spreading rapidly, the whole
country profoundly stirred and the intelligent
classes solidly arrayed against the government,
all conditions ripe for the long predicted
revolution.
The first act of the government, after dis
patching Admiral Rutgers squadron from Sc
bastopol to summon the Kniaz Potemkine,
whose mutineers have now been joined by the
crews Of the torpedo boats which accom-
panied it to Odessa, TO surrender, under the
threat of firing and sinking the vessel. This
was followed by the declaration of martial law
at Odessa and Libau, and the clothing of the
military commanders with penary powers.
The newly formed Council for Imperial De-
fence met last night, under the presidency of
Grand Bukc-Nicholas. and was in session long
after midnight. Beyond the fact that the tenn
ing is known to what occurred in the council
or regarding the decisions at which it arrived
Great fear is expressed that many regiments
.honeycombed with sedtion and there is
grave doubt of their loyalty should they be
called upon to fire on the revolutionsts. In
untrustworthiness of the troops are being re-
peated in st. Petersburg but the truth of many
of them is doubted
What effect the news of the happenings at
Odessa will have upon the troops and the people
in general is probematcal and is puzzling the
press. The precautions taken by the authorities
10 keep the news from the public have been in
vain, the revolutionares and the Liberals every
Where spreading il by word OF mouth, and
within twenty-four hours it will be known in
the uttermost- confines of European Russia.
When the news reaches the armies IN Man
churia 1t is bound to create deep impression.
The authorities however, realizing that it was.
certain to leak out and that there would be ex-
aggerated versions of it, and perhaps to pre-
pare the way for a public announcement, are
now sending some dispatches to the newspapers,
but these only contain information not for pub
lication.
At the Admiralty, where the temper of the
Black Sea sailors is known, the orders sent to
Admiral Kriiger's squadron by no means
unanimously approved. Among others, Vice d-
mirai Skrydloff openly expressed the opinion
that the bluejackets of Kriger's ships would
not fire on their comrades on board the Kniaz
Pote,nkife, but that the contrary they might
revolt should they be ordered to shoot Admiral
Skrydloff of the opinion that the best course
would be to allow the crew OF the Kniaz Poten-
kline to remain on board until they had been
starved into submission
In this connection the story is current that
the of the battleship captured two English
ships loaded with provisions and is holding
them alongside.
AS far known here Admiral Kriiser. al
though due at Odessa early last evening had not
arrived up to midnight. and this gave rise to
rufaors that the crews had actually seized the
other ships of the squadron
Dispatches received here from Odessa do not
make the situation clear. Millions of dollars
worth of property. including ships, has been
burned OF otherwise destroyed. The city is ter
ror stricken, and many. probably hundreds have
been killed or wounded in the street fighting.
The fact that the troops and police made no at
tempt to interfere with the burial of the mar
tyre6 sailor is considered TO be conclusive evil
6ence that they either felt themselves powerless
or feared to make the attempt on account of the
attitude Of the populace
Under cover OF the darkness produced by the
dense pan of smoke hanging over the city il is
reported the mob has begun 10 sack and plum
der Foreign property has suffered heavily.
Ia naval circles the cause Of the mutiny on