Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-07-06
REDFLAG IS HOISTED
Russia's Most Powerful Battleship
In Hands Of Mutineers.
CAPTAIN and OFFICERS MURDERED.
lite Guns Are Trained ON the city Of
odessa, the streets OF Which
Are Filled with StrlIk-
ing WOrkmen.

Odessa. June 29.-The red flag o.
revolution is hoisted at the masthead
of the Kniaz Potemkine, Russla's mos
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 a 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 Tues
day fed before the volleys Of the troops
are now infamed 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. A num-
Der Of barbados have been erected
and tumult and disorder reign.
The main squadron OF the Black sea
feet, consisting Of four battleships
and two cruisers, are expected to arrive
here Wednesday night and regular
naval battle is in prospect.
The rioters are in most defiant
mood and are not inclined to surrender
without fighting.
Reports Of the mutiny, which occurred
while the battleshlp was at sea, are
dificuIt to obtain, as the mutineers
refuse to allow communication with
the shore. but 1t is ascertained that 1t
arose from the shooting of a sailor
who was presenting on behalf of the
crew complaint against bad food.
According to one version, this sailor,
whose name was Omiltchuk, objected
to the quality Of the "borchtch," 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 condi-
tion that they would join the mutt
neers. The other were killed and their
bodies thrown overheard.
After period of vaciliation the
Kniaz Potemkine headed for Odessa
and arrievd here Tuesday night ac-
companied by two torpedo boats. Early
Wednesday the body of omiltchuk was
brought ashore In one Of the battle
ships boats and was landed on the new
mole where 1t had been exposed in
semi-state all day. 1t was visited by
thousands Of persons, many Of whom
placed coins in basket at the head
Of the body toward fund to defray
the cost of the funeral, which the
sailors propose to hold Thursday and
which the strikers will make the occa.
sion for great demonstration.
An inscription on the breast Of the
dead sailor. states on behalf Of the
crew that 0mlltchunk died for the
truth because he presented just COM
plEluL VI JHb CEtW'
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 1t. A police agent
visiting the spot was killed by strikers,
During the day red flags was hoisted
on the Kniaz Potemkine and members
Of the crew rode from ship to ship
in the harbor forcing the stoppage Of
all work thereon. Food was supplied
them by sympathlzers on shore, who
pillaged the maritime storehouses.
The strike is now general in the city
and the rioters are growing in num-
bers and holiness. There were eXchan-
ges Of shots all day, but the number Of
victims can not be stated. Wednesday
evening bomb was thrown in Cathed-
raj palace, killing its thrower and a
policeman.
A telegram from the mayor Of Odessa
who is at Moscow, imploring the cit
liens to restore order, has been
posted through the city.
During the day one of the torpedo
boats which accompanied the Knlaz
Potemkine came into the harbor and
seized the Russian steamer Esperana.
The steamer was laden with 1000 tons
Of coal, which the battleship is taking
On board.