Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-07-06
DEMANDS OF MUT1NEERs.

says: Summoned by the kniaz 20
temkin representatives Of the town coun-
ell went on board the battleship and
were received in the admiraPs cabin by
the commission commanding her.
The commission demanded the deliv-
ery of 800 tons of coal and provisions
of various kinds within twenty-rour
hour. and threatened that in the event
of noncompliance after due warning to
the inhabitants the town would be bonn
barded.
The commission also proposed that the
mayor should transmit to the population
proclamation demanding the termina-
ton of the war, a cOnvOcatiOn of zemst-
vos, &c.
Learning of these demands many in
hsbitants fled the town. The workmen
insisted that the demands be granted.
A special meeting OF the municipal
council was called and the council con-
sented to deliver the provisions, but re-
fused to comply with the demand for
coal for the reason That the town had
none.
The mutineers yesterday formally
raised the standard of rebellion and is-
sued the following declaration:
"The crew of the Kniaz Potemkln
notify the foreign powers that the de-
cisive struggle has begun against the
Russian government. We consider ii 10
be our duty to declare that we guarantee
the complete inviolability of foreign
ships navigating the Black Sea, as we'll
as the inviolability Of foreign ports.
A dispatch from st. Petersburg dated
at 2:l5 this morning says that while no
official confirmation is obtainable it Is
confidently asserted that the admiralty
has received news that the Kniaz Po'
temkin, after shipping coal, provisions,
and medicine, is again at large IN the
Black Sea, and that her destination Is
unknown.
Whether ne report of the sailing OF
the e-ship be tIIe or not, the crew
took remarkable step yesterday, when,
with all the solemrity of provisional
government, it issued manifesto ad-
dressed to the powers announcing That
civil war had been begun age nst the
existing regime in Russia, and pledged
the inviolability of foreign shipping and
foreign ports.
This action doubtless was taken to
quiet the apprehension of foreign powers
and to leave no excuse for the sending
of warships through the Dardanelles to
effect the capture of the battle ship,
which until now Russia's Black sea ileet
has not dared to attempt. 1t Is con-
sidered a shrewd move IN the part OF
the mutinoers, and stfmps the comman-
der of the crew as leader far above the
class of the ordinary sailor, and strength
ems the opinion that he is not a men,
ber of the original crew, but one OF the
revolutionaries who went on board at
Odessa.
The is uance of the manifesto lends e
certain dignity to the mutiny, and proves
that the crew and their commander have
no desire that the world should believe
them to be mere outlaws, bat that they
should be looked upon as men seriously
raising the standard of revolution.
According to a rumOr the ship S strong
box contained 1875, 900, and the mutt
neers would therefore be we'll supplied
with money.
In circles closely in touch with The
revolutionists it is regarded as fore
gone conclusion that the commander ol
the Kniaz Potemkin, knowing the situa-
tion in the Caucasus will head for POti OF
Batoum, where the revoluiionists are
exceedingly strong, in the hope of pro
ducing general rising With the author
tiles in the Caucasus almost powerless tf
prevent it, such contingency is by nj
means impossible.