The state herald., 1905-01-27

St. Petersburg, Jan. 22.-This has
been day of unspeakable horror in
st. Petersburg. The strikers of yester.
day, goaded to desperation by day
of violence, fury and bloodshed, are
in state of open insurrection against
the government. A condition almost
bordering on civil war exists in the
terrorstricken Russian capital The
city Is under martial law, with Prince
Nasilchikoff as commander of over 90
900 of the Emperor's crack guards.
Troops are bivouacking in the streets
tonight, and at various places on the
Nevsky prospect, the main thorough
fare of the city. On the island of Vas
siliostrov and In the industrial sec.
tions infuriated men have thrown up
barracks which they are holding. The
Empress Dowager has hastily sought
safety at TsarkoeSelo, where En-
peror Nicholas H. is living. ..-l
Minister of the Interior Sviatopolk.
Mirsky presented to his majesty last
night the invitation OF the worlSmen to
appear at the winter palace this after
noon and receive their petition, but
the Emperors advisers already
had taken decision TO show
firm hand and resolute front,
and the Empcror'S answer TO lOO,'
900 workmen trying 10 make their
way to the palace square was solid
array of troops, who met them with
rife, bayonet and saber. The priest,
Gopon, the leader and idol Of the men,
In his golden vcstmont, holding aloft
the cross and marching at the head
of thousands of workmcn through the
Narya gate, miraculously escaped n
volley which laid low half hundred
persons.
The figures Of the total number
killed or wounded here. at the Mos
COW gate, at various bridges and
islands and at the winter palace, vary.
The best estimate is 500. although
there are exaggerated figures placing
the number as high as 5000. Many
men were accompanied by their wives
and children, and in the confusion,
which left no time for discrimination,
the latter shared the fate Of the men.
The troops, with tho exception OF n
single regiment, which is reported TO
have thrown down It's arms, remained
loyal and obeyod orders. But the
blood which crimsOnCd the snow has
fired the brains and passions OF the
strikers and turned women as well as
men Into wild beasts. and the cry OF
the infurlatcd populace is for ven
geancc.
The sympathy Of the middle classes
is with the workmon.
II Father Gopon. the master mind
of the movement. aimed Mt open reyo'
luton. he managed the affair like n
genius TO break tho faith Of the people
In the Little Father" who they were
convinced and whom Father Gopon
had taught them 10 believe would
right their wrongs and redress their
grievances.
Toward s o'clock In the evening the
crowds, exhausted. began To dispUrse,
leaving the military In possession. As
they rotrcated up the Neysky prospect
tho workmon put out all the lights.
Tho little chapel at the Nnrya gate
was wrecked
on the kamlnostoy Island all the
llghts were eNtlnguishod.
Every officer wearing the uniform OF
the Emporcr who vas found alone was
mohbod. A general was killed on the
Nicholas bridge and dozen officers
were seized stripped OF their opau'
lets and deprived ~ their swords.
by midnight the sound Of firing had
ceased except on VnsSiliostroy island,
where the troops met n renewed dem
onstratiOn with several yOllrys, In tho
meantime the strike leaders assem-.
bied and decided 10 continue the
struggle with arms. 40 day was fixed
for the noNt demonstration. The
strikers are so excited, however, that
trouble Is expected tomorrow.
At a big meeting tonight the follow
Ing message from NJ. Gofslly. the nov
olist. was read:
"Bcloyod AssoclatCr-wo have no
Emperor. Innocent blood lloa between
him and the people. Now begins the
peoples struggle for freedom May Il
prospect My blessing upon you NIL.
Would ! might bo with you tonight,
but | have too much TO do"