The Colorado statesman., 1905-07-01
MUTINY and MURDER
ON BIG RUSSIAN sArrLEsHlP
Shooting of Sailor Who Presented
Complaint of the Crew Precipi-
tates Fight in Which officers are
Killed.

|
Odessa, June 29.-The red flag Of
revolution is hoisted at the masthead
of the Kniaz Potemkine. Russia's
most powerful battleship in the Black
sea. which now lies in the harbor in
the hands of mutineers.
The captain and most of the officers
were murdered and thrown overheard
in the open sea, and the ship is COM
pletely in the possession of the crew
and few officers who have thrown
in their lot with the mutineers.
The guns of the Kniaz Potemkine
are trained on the city and in the
streets masses of striking workmen,
who fled before the volleys OF troops,
are now infiamed by the Spectacle of
open revolt on board an Imperial war
ship and are making a bold front
against the military.
All day long firing has been heard
in many quarters of the city. Several
barricades have been erected and tu-
multi and disorder reign.
The main squadron of the Black sea
fleet, consisting of the battleships
George Pobiedionosetz George the
Victorious), Tri Sviatelia, Rostislav
and Ekaterina II, with two cruisers,
are expected to arrive soon and reg
ular naval battle is in prospect.
The rioters are in a most defiant
mood and are not inclined to surren-
der without fighting.
Reports of the mutiny, which oc-
CURED while the battleship was at
sea, are difficult to obtain, as the mu-
b. oil ,t.n
ton with the shore, but it is ascer-
tanned that it arose from the shooting
of q sailor who presented On behalf
of the crew a complaint against bad
food.
According to one version this sailor,
who was named Omiltchuk. objected
to the quality of the "bortch," or
soup. and was Immediately shot down
! by mess officer.
The crew then rose and seized the
ship and the officers, eight of whom
were spared on condition that they
would join the mutineers. The others
were killed and their bodies thrown
overheard.
After a period of vacillation the
Kniaz Potemkine headed for odessa
and arrived here last night, accompa-
MED by two torpedo boats. Early yes
terday the body of Omiltchuk was
brought ashore in one of the battle
ships boats and was landed on the
new mole, where it was exposed in
semi-state all day.
II was visited by thousands Of per
sons. many of whom placed coins in a
basket at the head of the body toward
fund to defray the cost of the fun
eral. which the sailors purpose to hold
to-day and which the strikers will
make the occasion for great demon
stration.
An inscription on the breast of the
dead sailor states on behalf of the
crew that Omiltchuk died for the
truth because he presented a just
complaint OF the crew.
The authorities have made no at,
tempt to remove the body the sailors
having served notice that the ship
would open fire on any one seeking to
Interfere with it.
A police agent visiting the spot was
killed by strikers.
During the day a red flag was
hoisted on the Kniaz Potemkine and
members of the crew rowed from ship
to ship in the harbor forcing the stop
page of all work thereof. Food was
supplied them by sympathizers on
shore, who pillaged the maritime
stores. f
The strike Is now general in the
city and the rioters are growing in
numbers and boldness. There were
exchanges of shots all day. but the
number of victims cannot be stated.
Last evening bomb was thrown in
Cathedral palace, killing its thrower
and policeman.
A telegram from the mayor of
Odessa. who is at Moscow. imploring
the citizens to restore order has been
posted throughout the city.
During the day one of the torpedo
boats which accompanied the Kniaz
Potemkine came into the harbor and
seized the Russian steamer Esperanza.
The steamer was laden with 1000 tons
of coal. which the battleship is taking
on board.
The governor has telegrsphed for a
squadron to be sent from Sebastopol.