The Washington times., 1905-09-09
Women and Children
Still Alive Thrown Into
Burning Buildings.
TROOPS ARE POWERLESS
Rebels Have Captured Many
Towns Where They Have
Applied the Torch.

ST. PETERSBURG, Sept "a veri-
Caucasus
Despite the arrival of strong re-en-
forcenents at Baku, the situation there
does not improve, according 10 the latest
advices received here. 1t is with diff
ficulty that the troops by the free use OF
rifles and machine guns have been able
to prevent the great army of rioters
taking the city itself and destroying it.
The great mass of the rebels are Mus
sulmans. They are killing the Christian
inhabitants OF the country. Of which
they are in. possession. without mercy.
In many cases men, women, and chill
dren are thrown alive into burning
buildings.
The villages of Edilu. Bakutan, Du-
dudk Khu-ak- -bu-lad, and others are
surrounded by the rioters and II is fear
ed that their garrisons will not be able
TO withstand the pressure and the en-
tire population VIII be wiped out
Balakhan has been practically wiped
out and the entire country around
Baku is in the hands of the rebels. 1t
is estimated that not less than 10000
men. many of them well armed, are now
opposed to the troops.
1l1S nunDer Is DelnS constantly
ed to by the Caucasian mountain tribe
who seem to be coming almost en- masse
to take part In the fighting and conse-
Quent loot.
The artillery is using shrapnel and
canister mercilessly against the rebels
and thousands of them have been shot
down But in some cases they have Sue
ceeded in spite of the artillery fire in
driving the troops back.
General Shirinkin has sent urgent ap-
peals to the authorities here for more
troops. and these are being sent as
rapidly as possible The oil industry in
the Baku fields is practically wiped out
and II will take months, If not years,
after order has been restored TO bring
il back so that there may be a normal
production.
The spirit of rebellion is spreading TO
the Volga regions where bands Of armed
pea asants have taken the field ard are
destroying the property of land owners
ruthlessly.
EngIishmen in Peril.
Four Engiishmen are surrounded ar
Balakhan. and the authorities declare
that they have net sufficient troops for
their rescue. There are serious fears
for their safety. They are known 20
have neither food nor water. so they
fails to burn the place over their heads
NJ. Nobel. the great oil fields proprie-
tor says the catastrophe is complete
Over half the industry is wiped out.
Balakhan is in flames, and the whole
region is within the power of the mob.
According TO this authority the pres
ent crisis IS the outcome OF the poIiti-
cal-iabor war in progress since last De-
cember. when the mems orfaniza ton
told the masters: IF YOU want oil YOU
peatedly urged the government 10 give
heed TO the cry. but no heed was taken,
so the powerful Social Democratic or
Eanization fulfilled its threat.
Tartars Acted First.
NJ Nobel says the racial ana religious
war is merely d complication. The
active dangerous elements at Baku be
ing Russians and Armenians the gov
ernment relied upon the conservative
Tartar majority to serve as check,
whereas It only brought another dis
turbing element into the field.
kilograms say the TartaTs were tbs
first TO set fire TO the oil wells. and sew
eral Were arrested while attempting tC
extend the confiagration TO the shipping
The newspapers are full OF scathine
criticism OF the helpiessness and inef-
ficiency OF the Administration. The
most scathing denunciation comes from
NJ. Timiriazen. assistant minister o.
finance. VINO points out that the whole
oil region extends owe. about 1000 acres
Yet even in such A small area the au.
thO-ities failed 10 maintain order and
what is worse. have refused TO permit
tho companies to take steps TO assure
their own protection.
What happened AT Baku is bound II
result in remCdeling the electoral Law
so as 20 include the workmen. This
is assured by an exceptionally weII-.n.
formed Russian. who predicts the an
nouDcement Of fundamental reforms and
personal guarantees within a few weeks
The Emperor saws 10 has been com.
pletsly deceived respecting the conditions
OF the country the speciCus tranquility
Of 81. Petersburg.