The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-10-31
BLOODSHED Is CERTAIN
Russian Officials Believe Strike Will
End in Slaughter.
PANIC IN ST. PETERSBURG
People Must Rely On Candles and
Lamps For Lisht-The City Filled
with Troops-ReVolutonists Conf

Lamps For Lisht-The City Filled
with Troops Revolutionists Conf
dent Of Success.
ST. Petersburg. oct 2S.-That tho
prospnt situation canOnt end without
bloodshcd is the conviction prevailing
I'm the higher government circles,
which from moment 10 moment are eX-
pecting a conflict between the troops
and tie rovolutionists in ST. Peters
burg. and news of trouble in the prov
inces. especially at Kharkon. which
has been declared I'm state OF war
The governor of Kien has been in
structed TO take all necessary meas
ures to restore order, which the local
government and the commander OF the
troops are unable to maintain.
One Of the most prominent mem
hers OF the emperor's council said that
the law creating a responsible cabinet
will probably be promulgated and
Count Whites nomination as premier
announced Under the statute the
premier may or may not hold a special
portfolio. Count White spent almost
the entire day with the emperor at
Peterhof. and he has not conhdcd to
his colleague whether he intends 10
take the ministry of the interior or
the ministry of finance or no portfolio
at all. The whole of the ministerial
body is also in ignorance as to
whether they will retain their places
under the new leader.
Realizing that any attempt 70 inter
fere with the monster meeting at the
university would inevitably lead TO a
bloody outbreak. General Trepon. who
had announced that he intended TO
prevent the assembly instructed the
police to close their eyes TO the fact
and the meeting, which was attended
by between $4,000 and 10000 persons.
passed of without a conflict
The troops stationed around the
building were withdrawn but in the
court the city bOurse and other near
by buildings half a dozen companies
Of Cossacks and strong forces of in
fantry and dragons were in readiness
TO sally forth II necessary.
The scene inside the university beg
CARS description In the great open air
court. with no light except few
Pickering candles on a hastily con-
structed tribune. from 1000 to 5000
workmen. students and professional
men stood welged together IN the cold
and wet snowfall. listening 10 revolu-
tionary harangues Another great
meeting was held in the central hall
of the university. and scores of
smaller meetings OF the separate
trades and professions were held i'm
the other rooms of the building
In all the sections a strong minority
urged conservatism. but these were
carried from their feet by the general
enthusiasm. and resolutions for gen
eral strike in every branch of social
activity were adopted with hurrah
a remarkable feature of all the
speeches was the spirit OF complete
confidence that the success Of the
movement was at hand and the mani
fest intention TO force an armed con-
flict upon the government
In the city. in spite Of the absence
of disorders. there is a condition of
actual panic Half of the population
is compelled to rely on candles or
kerosene lamps for light. while the
street lamps I'm a large part Of the city
have been extinguished
The streets practically are deserted
except for the squads Of infantry and
cavalry which are everywhere Many
of the Inhabitants shut themselves in
their houses, scarcely venturing out to
make necessary purchases Of food,
which has mounted TO famine prices.