Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-10-30
The Empire Facing Gravest
Crisis in Its History.
All Eyes Turn to Count Witte
to Save the Day.
Steps Being Taken to Insure
Safety Of Americans.

st. Petersburg, Oct. 29-104O P. NJ.
While the day passed quietly without
bloodShed in the Russian capital and
while the city is outwardly calm, to-
days developments all indicate that a
crisis is imminent. Although the
streets are filled with troops and rein
forcements are now pouring in from
Finland, the government seems utterly
pOWerless to cope with the situation
and many calm observers seem seri-
ously TO believe that the present re-
gime is tOttcring to its fall
Differences have developed between
Count Wittc ana General Trepoff, and
while the precious moments pass the
Emperor, surrounded by the imperial
family, remains shut up at Peterhof.
seemingly still hestating as to what
course to pursue.
Grave doubts are expressed as to
whether even the imperial guard can
now be relied upon. Discomfort is rife.
Early, this morning, the 14th and 18th
equipages of sailors of the guard who
have been shut up like prisoners i'll
barracks on the MoSca canal, demOl-
ished the windows and furniture and
in the afternoon a detachment consist
ing of four officers OF the guard Went
to the lawyers assembly and told the
barristerS that many officers and a
large part of the troops were disgust
ed with the government and ready to
enlist in the movement for freedom.
They asked for aid toward effecting
organization and said they had dis
cuSSeu among themselves the question
of rcsigning but decided to show that
people in uniform could help to achieve
liberties. Even the CosSack patrols
in keeping idlers moving in the streets
today, seemed careful not to use their
whips and simply drove the crowds
along before their advancing horses.
a meeting of the municipal council
was held, this evening, at which a dep
utatiOn Ur 30 members of the strikers
committee appeared. In an impassion-
ed srecch the leader of the deputation
presented the following demands of the
Worlsmen and affiliated organizations:
First-A constitutional and political
| liberty.
cond-That the city furnish food
| for the workmen.
ThirG-1hat the city refuse further
supplies to the troops and the police.
FOurth-That the troops be removed
| from the WaterWorks or otherwise the
strikers would cut the water supply
Fifth--The immunity OF the deputa-
tion from arrest.
The council granted the latter de-
mand and promised to reply to the
other demands, tomorrow. The council
| sent requests to both General Trepoff
| and Minister of the Interior Bouign
not TO arrest the members Of the depu-
tatlon, but the police nevertheless took
them into the custody. Upon urgent
representations, General Trepoff, an
hour later. released them.
the people are extremely nervous and
bordering on panic and are easy vic
| inns of every sensational rumor.
Among countless baseless reports
which received credence, today. were
those that the Emperor had embarked
on a vessel and fed to Denmark, that
General Trcpoff had been killed by
bomb. and that Vice Admiral Birileff
had been assassnated by mutineers in
Black Sea.
With Il strike in the government post
Office, tonight. communication with the
interior practically ceased. Government
troops were placed in the telegraph
office but only few lines are working.
Many lines, including the cable. have
been cut. At 10 O'clock, however, the
cable by way of Nystad and Sweden
was still open. This is now the only
thread connecting Russia with the out
er world. Admiral Durnovo, superin-
tcndent Of posts and telegraphs, told
the representatives of a European
power. this afternoon, that he could
rot tell how long cable communication
with the continent would last The
foreign embassies have discussed the
situation hut have as yet taken no
steps regarding the safety of foreign
residents. AS precaution. the state
department at Washington has been
requested to confer authority for the
charter Of vessel and to hoist on it
the American flag as a refuge for
Americans.
The negotiations for a new loan will
be formally adjourned, tomorrow, as
nelther the government nor the bank |
ers are prepared to close the necotia-
tiohs While the present situation con-
tinues.
J. Pierpont Morgan, Jr.. and George |
w. PERKINS are negotiating with the |
tamhurg- American Steamship Co. for |
the dispatch of vessel to 1ake them |
OH IN case of necessity.
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