Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-07-01
SAILORS MUTINY ON
RUSSIAN WARSHIP
Officers of Kniaz POtemkine Killed
and Bodies Thrown Overheard.
THREATEN TO lombard ODESSA

Red Flag Of Revolution Floats at the
Mast Head, and a Naval Battle Is
Expected When Black Sea Fleet Ar
rives-Rioters In Odessa Are Defiant
and Rein of Terror Exists.
Odessa. June 29.-The red flag of
revolution is hoisted at the masthead
of the kniaz Potemkine, Russia's most
powerful battleship in the Black Sea.
which now lies In the harbor in the
hands of mutineers.
The captain and most of the officers
were murdered and thrown overheard
in the open sea, and the ship is COM
pletely in the possession of the crew
and a few officers who have thrown in
their lot with the mutineers.
The guns of the Kniaz POtemkine
command the city, and in the streets
masses of striking workmen who ON
Tuesday fed before the volleys of the
troops are now infiamed by the specta-
Gle of open revolt on board an imperial
warship and are making a bold front
against the military.
All day long firing has been heard in
many quarters of the city. A number
of barricades have been erected. and
tumult and disorder reign.
The main squadron OF the Black Sea
feet, consisting of the battleships
Georgei Pobiedonosetz George the Vic
torious). Tri Sviattitelia. Rostislav ami
Ekaterina III, with two cruisers, are
expected to arrive here, and a regular
naval battle is in prospect.
The rioters are in a most defiant
mood and are not inclined to surrender
without fighting
Reports of the mutiny. which oc-
Cured while the battleship was at
sea. are difficult to obtain. as the mutt
neers refuse to allow communication
with the shore, but 1t is ascertained
that it arose from the shooting of a
sailor who was presenting on behalf of
the crew a complaint against bad food.
According to one version. this sailor.
whose name was Omiltchuk. objected
to the quality of the "borchtch." or
soup. and was Immediately shot down
by a mess officer. The crew then rose
and seized the ship and the officers.
eight Of whom were spared on condi-
tion that they would join the mutt
neers. The others were killed and their
bodies thrown overheard.
After a period of vacillation the
KniaZ Potemkine headed for Odessa
and arrived here, accompanied by two
was brought ashore in one of the bat
tleship's boats and was landed on the
new Mole. where II has been exposed
in semi-state all day. II was visited oy
thousands of persons. many of whom
placed coins in a basket at the head
the cost of the funeral. which the sail
ors propose to hold. and which the
strikers will make the occasion of a
great demonstration.
An inscription on the breast of the
dead sailor states on behalf of the crew
that Omiltchuk died for the truth. be-
cause he presented just complaint OF
the crew.
The authorities have made no at
tempt to remove the body. the sailors
having served notice that the ship
would open fire on any one seeking to
interfere with il. A police agent visit
ing the spot was killed by strikers.
During the day red flag was hoist
ed on the KniaZ Potemkine. and men,
bers of the crew rode from ship 10
ship in the harbor. forcing the stop
page of all work thereon. Food was
supplied them by sympathizers ON
shore. who pillaged the maritime store
houses.
The strike is now general in the
city. and the rioters are growing in
numbers and boldness. There were en-
changes of shots all day. but the num-
ber of victims cannot be stated. A
bomb was thrown in Cathedral Pal
ace. killing its thrower and a police
man.
During the day one of the torpedo
boats which accompanied the Kniaz
Potemkinc came into the harbor and
seized the Russian steamer Esperanza.
The steamer was laden with 2OO0 tons
Of coal. which the battleship is taking
on board.
Shipping and ouays In Flames.
n.