The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-01-22
CRITICAL HOUR
Russia Is On Verge of
Revolution.
CITY UNDER GUARD
Machine Guns Command All the
Avenues 10 the lmperisl
Palace.
GOPoN REFUSES OvERTURES
" the Troops Mutiny or Join tho Strik.
ers Russia viii Face a Revolution
Instead OF Mere Riot
She Is Worried.

IT. Petersburg. Jan. 20. Despite ON.
clal assurances at midnight that tac
situation IL we'll IN hand. and ample
steps are taken TO protect the vast in
duslrial section OF ST. Petersburg. anI
Insure safety TO the city the greatest
uneasincas for today pcrvadci the en-
tire population.
Picked troops are stationed AT various
points In the city and each has Il mini
aturc garrison with gendarmes In the
court yards and machlue guns ready
for the firSt emergency. The winter
palace IN strongly plcketcd. with Grand
Duke Vladimir IN command. Final In
atructions were issued for tonight,
The plan OF the government is TO
prevent the worhmen from coming TO
the center OF the city today by guard
Ing the gates and bridges, A collision
II, therefore, believed imminent, and
the workmen themselves are thorough
ly convinced that such IL the case. Tac
authorities maintain that the loyalty
Of the troops In beyond question. II
is fully realized. however. II the troops
mutIny or actually join the workmen
the government will be faced. not with
riot but with revolution.
Father Gopon, at the request of Min
lister Of Justice Muravien. went to the
ministry of Justice today. and had
long interview with Muravieff, at which
the minister tried to dlssuade him from
the program for Sunday
A collision is believed more likely
to occur on the outskirts OF 81. Peters
burg Meantime the strikers are carry
Ing out their original program. The
few mills and factories remaining ac-
tive In the city were closed during the
day. one OF the last Of them being the
government powder mill, The strike
leaders visited every shop In the city
and all OF them, even those OF the
butchers, bukers and laundries closed
Traffic IL stopped on the street car
lines, the men having Joined the strlk-
ers.
Preparations for n big demonstration
at the winter palace square at o'clock !
today were not suspended, although
the leaders have been warned II can
not take place and that the emperor
will not be there. The workmen are
all convinced that his majesty will ap-
pear and listen to the grievances.
There are rumors that the troops
have plainly indicated their sympathy
with the strikers. and II It comes to a
collision they viii refuse to FIRE upon
them.
Father Gopon, however, could not
he budged, and mt the end Of the inter-
view left saying:
we must each do our duty accord
Ing to tae light given us"
II is the plan of the workmen to as
semble at three points, Poutilon and
oubokoff works, and Island Yassili
ostrov and march to the palace
square. They are fully convinced the
emperor will be there to receive tneir
petition
All speak of him reverently and In
slst that he is kept ignorant of the
truth and once he hears their grlev-
ances they will receive justice. They J
said what is wanted Is shorter hours,
more pay and more liberty. They de-
olared peaceful intentions and said
hey do not want to fight, and seemed
10 entertain no fear of being shot down.
"The soldiers are on our side" said n
,ne of the leaders, they may Are on $
he palace, but not on U.S." a
Late tonight 1t is reported that a I