The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1905-01-27
FIRST BLOOD IN FlNLf q
Thirty Persons Wounded by Coz
at Helslnqfors.


st. Petersburg, Jan. 26.-Contrary
to expectation, the first move of the
newly appointed governor general OF
St. Petersburg is pacific in character.
II takes the form of a proclamation,
Jointly signed by General Trepoff and
N. Kokovsoff, the minister of finance,
telling the strikers that they have
been led into trouble by evil-disposed
persons and that their best interests
will be served by peaceful representa-
tions to the government. The work.
men are also assured that the en-
peror has ordered the framing of GER
tain laws for their benefit and the
creation of system of state insur'
ance that will protect them from
want in case of sickness or disability.
The document will be followed eth
or by an imperial manifesto along the
same lines, in the hope of preventing
the spread of the strike, or by specific
proclamations by the local authorities
wherever strikes are in progress. BY
promising to yield the question OF
the hours of labor, which are now le
gally eleven in Russia, the authorities
believe they will meet the main griev-
ance Of the workmen. This, together
with the guarantee of protection, the
authorities hope will induce those
strikers who are Indifferent to pQlit'
fcal demands, and which class they de-
clare constitute a great bulk Of the
men, to resume work. 1t is certain
many strikers were forced out against
their wishes, but the general effect
Of the proclamation is problematical
The fears of serious trouble in Mos
cow were not realized. The only au
thenticated instance of anything ap
preaching violence there was in the
dispersal of crowd of about 5000
workmen by Cossacks. So far as is
known there was no casualties.
From Finland anti-Russian demon
strations are reported, collision be-
tween a crowd of 10000 persons and
troops and police resulting in the
wounding of about thirty Films. In
Finland the agitation has nothing to
do with the labor question, but is
purely political in character.
If general movement breaks out
among the Firms 1t is likely to take
the form of an armed uprising, as al
most every Finn has a weapon in his
house.
Various political, educational and
mercantile bodies in Russia are
adopting declarations in favor of an
elective representative legislative
body, and denouncing msrule under
the autocracy.
Though the strikes have been
spreading to various towns, the situa
ton. while disquieting, is not acute
anywhere.
In several Baltic province towns
there has been considerable disorder
especially in Riga, where the military
are In complete possession.
Sir Charles Hardinge, the British
minister. received from Captain
Grove, the British consul at Moscow
confirmation of the Associated Press
dispatch from Moscow announcing the
posting OF London telegram i'm
putting the disorders to British and
Japanese influences, and he will ash
explanations from Minister Lams
dorff today. 1t is not expected, how
ever. that the affair will lead to a So
rious diplomatic incident. and It Il
thought the Russian government viii
disavow responsibility for the course
OF Acting Chief Of Police Roudeneff
The dispatch to Ambassador Hard
inge makes no mention OF Roudeneff's
offer to meet Captain Grove.