The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
Leader Ot Telegraph and Pos- tai Strikers Imprisoned at
 St Petersburg
CLASH BETWEEN SOLDIERS
 AND MOB IN THE STREETS
Crisis Reached in the Situation-Gov- ernment Forces the lssue-Try- ing to Appease Peasants.
 Witte Condemned.

St. Petersburg, Saturday Evening, De- cember 9-Another crisis is at hand in volving the indefinite prolongation of thu postal and telegraph strike, the probable immediate precipitation of general strike throughout Russia, and a possible final struggle between the government and the proletariat.
 This sudden change for the worse is the result of the shedding of the first blood in the telegraph strike this after noon, almost simultaneously with the ac- tioA of M. Durnovo, minister of the ln- terior. in throwing down the gauntlet to the labor organizations by arresting M. Krustalefr, president of the executive committee of the workmen's council, with out warning.
 About 2 o'clock several companies Of Cossacks clattered through the streets leading to the headquarters of the council in Targovia street. Having barred the ap- breaches force of troops and police surrounded the building, after which ser vicemen rushed in and seized Krustaleff The latter made no resistance and the af- fair was concluded quickly.
 It was impossible for Krustaleff to con
 
 which the authorities evidently expect to find evidence proving the ultimate inten- ton to be an armed uprising against the government
 Three Men Killed.
 The disturbance in which two strikers and one policemen were killed and two others injured occurred in front of the postoffice. The strikers for two days have been trying to persuade the volunteer ana regular carriers to refuse to work. At the door of the building today the strikers en- ragged by the refusal of the volunteers to quit. drew knives, whereupon a carrier attempted to defend himself with re- volver. Both the carrier and companion were killed on the spot.
 squad of policemen was stood off by the strikers and workmen, sFbo sympa- thized with them Both sides exchanged a fierce fusilade, during which policeman and several workmen were wounded.
 As the strikers were withdrawing, a Cossack company came galloplng down to the rescue. One of the strikers turned ana threw an imitation bomb, and the Cos sacks wheeled in order to avoid what they s presumed to be a deadly missile. The crowd managed to get in an open court way, close the door and escape.
 Immense Sensation.
 The news of the arrest of Krustaleff cre- ated an immense sensation among the workmen All the socialist, labor and kin dred organizations are holding meeting tonight at which most ini1ammatory speeches are being made in denuncla- tion of the government, and all are talk ing of a general strike in order to save their leader.
 Krustaleff as he is called, though that IS not his name, is regarded as the pralnS of the revolutionary movement. He mas displayed genius in organizing both the Industrial and political strikes which nave terrorized the government. His offer or support to the telegraphers yesterday pre- vented collapse of their strike.
 In some quarters it is believed that the government realizing that struggle With the workmen and the socialists Is inevit- able in January, arrested kruStaleH With the intention of deliberately precpitatlnS matters by challenging the organizations before they were fully prepared. This show of strength also gives color to the report that the Douma election law, which 1t is now expected will be promulgated next week, is to be followed by energetic measures to restore order, even if 1t be necessary to declare martial law in various parts of the empire, on the ground that 1t would be impossible to hold the elections in the present state of the coun- try. At the same time it is understood that it is the intention of the government to go step further in the direction of appeasing the peasants by providing for purchase by them on the installment plan of portion of the crown appendages, and the private estates that have been hypo- thecated to the government land banks, and until redeemed. While such pro gramme undoubtedly would receive the sympathy of that section of the population which desires the restoration of order above everything, especially of those bus mess interests like the manufacturers of St. Petersburg, who passed resolution in favor of prosecuting the agitators to the full extent of the law yesterday. 1t would provoke the socialists and revolu- tionaries to desperation. The moderate lib- erals also believe that such policy would be suicidal. and would be sure to bring tn its wake repression, then an armed conflict with the proletariat and finally . bloody revolution.
 Has Witte Resigned.
 Many persons believe that Count Witte will not lend himself to such a programme, that his fall is imminent. and that when he goes he will leave reaction and revo- lution face to face It is again rumored that the premier already has resigned and will be succeeded by General Count Alexis Ignatieff Another rumor is to the effect that Lieutenant General Mistchenko, one of the heroes of the war in Man churia who Is now on his way to St. Petersburg, Will assume the dictatorship. The Associated Press is unable to obtain confirmation of any of these rumors On the contrary it learns from high source that Count Wittes position, so far as the Emperor is concerned is perfectly secure. and that his majesty is giving him the widest cooperation.
 Nevertheless the counts failure to ac- complsh something tangible has caused him to lose ground steadily in public opin- ion.
 Even the Slovo, the organ of the legal orders turns savagely on him, declaring that he is failure and urging that it will be impossible to restore public con- fdence until power has passed to the hands of the douma when Count Nitte must give way to a cabinet selected by the national assembly.
 A strike has begun on the following railroad lines:
 Kurskvo. Moscow and Sebastopol; Riga and oilon. Kharkon and Nicolaien. South