Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1905-01-27
RUSSIANS
in REVOLT
Masses Who Ask a Hearing
Met BY Shower Of
Bullets.
FIFTEEN HUNDRED SHOT DOWN
Emperor Refuses to Hear Cry Of
His Chiidren-Fathsr Gopon Insti.
gator Of the Revolt, Leads His Fol-
lowers Into Hail of Bullets.

NJ ACSCAopui &, Jdu. GO.-Wllu uuu-
dreds of men. women and children
shot down, one regiment in revolt
and barricades building in many
streets, yesterday was one of un-
speakable horror in St. Petersburg.
The strikers Saturday, goaded to
desperation by day of violence, fury
and bloodshed, are in a state of open
insurrection against the government.
A condition almost bordering on
civil war exists in the terror-stricken
Russian capital. The city is under
martial law, with Prince Vasilchikofr
as commander of over $4,000 of the
emperor's crack guards. Troops
bivouacked in the streets last night
and at various places on the Nevski
prospect, the main thoroughfare OF
the city.
On the island Of Vassili Ostrov and
in the industrial quarters infuriated
men have thrown up barbados,
which they are holding. The en-
press dowager has hastily sought
safety at Tsarskoe Selo, where En-
peror Nicholas II. is living.
Minister of the Interior Sviatopolk-
Mirsky presented to his majesty Sat
urday night the invitation of the
workmen to appear at the Winter
palace yesterday afternoon and re-
ceive their petition. but the en-
peror's advisers already had taken a
decision to show a firm and resolute
front, and the emperor's answer to
100000 workmen trying to make their
way to the palace yesterday was a
solid array of troops who met them
with rifle, bayonet and sabre.
The priest, Gopon, the leader and
idol Of the men, in his golden vest
ments, holding aloft the cross and
marching at the head Of thousands
of workmen through the Narva gate,
escaped volley which laid low half
hundred persons.
The figures of the total number
killed or wounded at the Narva gate,
at the Moscow gate, at various bridges
and islands and at the Winter palace,
vary. The best estimate is five hun.
dred, although there are exaggerated
figures placing the number as high
es five thousand.
Many men were accompanied by
their wives and children, and in the
confusion which left no time for dis
elimination, the latter shared the fate
of the men.
The troops, with the exception OF
a single regiment, which is reported
to have thrown down its arms, re-
NAMED loyal and obeyed orders. But
the blood which crimsoned the snow
has fired the brains and passions OF
the strikers and turned women as
we'll as men into wild beasts, and the
cry of the Infatuated populace is for
vengeance
The sympathy of the middle classes
is with the WOrkmen.
II Father Gopon, the master mind
of the movement, aimed at open revo-
luton, he managed the affair like a
genius to break the faith Of the peo-
pie in "the little father" who, they
were convinced by Father Gopon,
would right their wrongs and redress
their grievances.
The military authorities had firm
grip on every artery in the city. At
daybreak, guards, regiments, cavalry
and infantry held every bridge across
the frozen Neva, the network OF
canals which interlaces the city, and
the gates leading from the Industrial
section, while in the palace square,
at the storm center, were massed
dragon regiments, infantry and Co.'S
sacks of the guards. Barred from
the bridges and gates, men, women
and children crossed the frozen river
and canals on the Ice by twos and
threes, hurrying to the palace square,
where they were sure the emperor
would be present to hear them.
But the street approaches to the
square were cleared by volleys and
Cossack charges. Men and women,
Infatuated to frenzy by the loss OF
loved ones, cursed the soldiers while
they retreated. Men harangued the
crowds, telling them that the EN-.
peror had foiled them and that the
time had come to act. Men began to
build barbados in the Nevski pros
pect and at other points, using any
material that came to hand and even
chopped down telegraph poles.
Fighting meantime continued at
various places, soldiers volleying and
charging the mob. The whole city
was in a state Of panic. Women were
running through the streets seeking
lost members of their families. Sew.
eral barbados were carried by the
troops.
Towards 8 o'clock in the evening
the crowds, exhausted, began to dis
perse. leaving the military in posses.
sion. Az they retreated up the New.
ski prospect. the workmen put out
all the lights.
Tho little chapel At the Narva gate
was wrecked.
On the Kaminostov island all the
lights were extinguished.
Every oficer wearing the uniform
Of the emperor, when found alone,
was mobbed. A general was killed
on the Nicholas bridge and dozen
officers were seized, stripped Of their
epaulets and deprived of their swords.
It is rumored that M. White will be
APPOINTED dictator, but the report Is
not confirmed. The authorities, while
they seem to realize the magnitude
Of the crisis with which the dynasty
and the autocracy are confronted on
account Of yesterdays events, ap'
parently are paralyzed for the mo-
ment.
An official statement was promised
at midnight, at which hour it was
| announced that it had been postponed
until today.
Intense indignation is bound to he
aroused all over Russia. The work
men and revolutionists expect news
from Moscow and other big centers
where the troops are not of the same
| Ar ner{Y