The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-07-04
STORY OF ODESSA.
As Told in the omcial journal of
Russia.

y st. Petersburg, July 4.-The govern
mental story of the events at Odessa
IS published in the Official Messenger
has been in great part already covered
IN the statements made in official quar-
ters and cabled to the Associated
Rress since the commencement of the
outbreak. After detailing the activity
of the socialists revolutionary commit
tee in stirring up the strikers ashore
and the arrival of the mutinous crew
of the battleship Kniaz Potemkine at
Odessa, June 81, the account pro-
ceeds:
1.-The mutiny of the warship provid-
cd the revolutionary committee with a
good opportunity to influence the
masses. The committee visited the
battleship and assured the mutineers
that the garrison of Odessa had laid
down its arms and that the whole
Black sea squadron had joined hands
with the crew of the Kniaz Potemkine.
According to eye witnesses, officers
took an active part in the council on
the battleship, and particularly two
young cadets. The result of the an
archist interest among the sailors be-
came evident.
1.-THE troops were unable to use
their arms against the crowds of work
men in the vicinity OF the harbor for
fear of an enfilading fire from the bat
Gleship. The harbor was therefore at
the mercy of the mob, which pillaged
warehouses and vessels. preached
casks of wine and spirits and started
q drunken orgie.
with nightfau the fires started by
the rioters soon attained terrible di-
mansions Nearly everything in the
harbor was destroyed, the mob refus-
sing to allow the firemen to fight the
! flames. Among the property destroy
ed were the warehouses OF the RUSSIAN
Navigation & Commerce company, the
agency stores of the Danube Naviga-
ton company, the Bats stores on the
Plantaoff piers, the Odessa harbor
railway station, the harbor master
offices, part of the warehouse of the
Russian Navigation & Trading COM
pany and of the Roseysky and Rosh-
nine companies on the new pier, the
shipping office on Planatoff pier, part
of the coal depot, all the buildings or
the quarantine harbor, twenty wagons
and six steamers belonging to various
companies.
Iooters Burned Alive.
1.-THE railway freight sheds were pill
LACED and many rioters and looters
were burned alive while intoxicated.
several times during the night Of
June %, the mob attacked the troops
anI police with revolvers but each
time they were scattered by a volley
from the soldiers. The number or
rioters killed or wounded is not yet
known but must exceed several hun
bred. The damage can only be esti-
mated in the millions of roubles.
None of the representatives of the
foreign powers suffered. The consul
ates were guarded by troops.
"On June 20 a state of war was
proclaimed and the city was covered
by troops. The disorders then
ceased
The story confirms the report that
the Kniaz Potemkine in the evening
of June 20 fired three blank shots as
prescribed by the Russian naval code
FOR the funeral of a sailor and follow
ed this up with two live sh OTIS, Destroy
ing part of a house. Otherwise the
battIeship did no damage.
The government report then pro-
ceeds to relate the arrival of Rear Adj
miral Kruger's squadron during the
morning of June 80 as follows;s ---..-.
GAS the squadron approached the
Odessa pier the Kniaz Potemkine
cleared for action, advanced to meet
it and cut through its line. AS the
Kniaz Potenkine passed the mutineers
received an ovation from the crew of
the Georgi Pobiedonosetz. Rear .Ad-
niral Kruger thereupon signalled the
squadron to swing round and return
to Sebastopol, but the crew of the
Georgi Pobiedonosetz prevented that
vessel from following and put ashore
their officers disarmed with the excep-
ton of Lieutenant Grigorieff, who blew