Omaha daily bee., 1905-12-25
CRISIS IS AT HAND
Next Forty -E.ghi Hours E1pestsd to
Decide Fate Of Russian Government
HAVE FAITH IN 10y LTY OF THE ARMY
Should This Fail the Present Government
ia Doomed
hGlTATORS SEARCH FOR A WEAK SPOT
Hope to Find Somewhere Few Regiments
Who Will Join Them.
THIS COUNTED ON 10 GIVE F00TH0LO
True Condition of Affairs at Moscow
Uncertain mt 81. PetersburR
Owing TO the Lack of
Comm N nication.
THIS COUNTED ON 10 GIVE FOOTHoLD

ST PETERSBURG Dec. A-S:3O p. M
with Moscow's baptism of blood the revo-
lutionaries made good their threats to
transform the strike into armed rebellion
and the next forty-eight hours should de-
termne whether they can marshal suth-
cient strength TO plunge the country into
an actual state of civil war and seriously
threaten the immediate downfall Of the
government
The government processes confidence that
the whole attempt will fail owing TO the
woeful insufficiency OF arms in possession
OF the proletariat and by reason OF the
loyalty OF the army as a whole but its
calculations might again be rudely upset.
A few arsenals might be seized to furnish
arms or the open support of few regi-
ments might start landslide in the army.
Certainly the shrewdest of the revolut-
tionary leaders fully appreciate that the
issue must be decided by the attitude of
the army. which is yet to cast the die.
The instructions have gone forth that
risings must occur everywhere in order
TO test the troops and If foothold can be
secured 1t is the intention of the revo-
lutionaries to set up a provisional govern
ment and proclaim a republic
Thus far reports from Moscow do not
clear up the vital point to whether
to obey commands, although there are per-
sistent rumors that they did. Revolu-
tionary leaders here claim to have con-
frmation of a report that a grenadier
brigade and some Cossacks mutinied and
are now locked UP in their barracks.
Fighting Is Renewed.
While the military succeeded every
where in driving the insurgents from their
barricades in Moscow Saturday night, the
defeat evidently was not a decisive one as
barricades were again thrown up in dozens
OF places this morning and lighting was re-
newed before IL o'clock. The Associated
Press understands that orders have been
issued for an uprising here, but the gov
ernment's measures seemingly render this
impossible. No meetings public pri-
vate. are allowed. which makes an as
semby OF more than five persons in
private lodging house illegal. The pris-
ons and sails are tlled with leaders of the
revoIutlonaries and agitators Two coaches
OF arms have been seized and entire
organization, consisting of 300 "crujins,' as
the student militia Is called has been cap
tured.
Rumors were purposely circulated that a
conflict would be inaugurated at dem
onstration OF worlImen in the Nevsky
Prospect this afternoon, but they proved
unnaturally calm on the surface and a
stranger dropping down the Nevsky Pros
pect this afternoon would have seen no
evidence of ferment. II was bright, crisp
winter day and smart sleighs and equi-
pages Of the aristocracy with their occu-
pants cloaked in sables and other rich
furs were out I'm forces. The sullen faces
of the crowds OF strikers on the side
walks and heavy horses and foot patrols
on every block looked ominous II the
plans OF the revolutionaries to produce
an uprising in ST. Petersburg fail, as II
f. believed they will, attempt certainly
will be made to terrorize the government
by guerrilla warfare in which bombs will
play the chief role. The government hav-
ing embarked in a war against the reds
II Is dinicult to see how IL can draw back
one step.
The acceptance by Governor General Du-
bassorf OF Moscow OF the notorious resc-
tonary Prince Tcherbatoff. TO organize the
'Ioyalists" as a militia, has created a
shudder OF horror.
Call TO Arms at Warsaw.
WARSAW. Dec. 24.-The railroads are
still running. but the situation is serious
Owing to the news from Moscow all the
socialist parties have issued proclamations
summoning the people for an armed re
bellion.
An explosion this morning destroyed
fiat in which was stored a quantity o
dynamite The entire house was unroofed
but there were no casualties
Fighting Continues mt Moscow.
MOSCOW. Dec. A-5 p. m.-Artillery
rifle and revolver iring continued through
out the day. but the noise OF battle hai
now somewhat abated. The guns hav,
been bombarding one barricade after an
hafp Nall h,
charges by the dragons who set fire L
the debris.
The area of the fighting today was NOR,
extended and included Trabnois Square
6adovia, Karetnaia and many other streets
The revolutionaries apparently have no
In the least lost heart, notwithstandinl
Saturdays heavy casualties. 1t is nov
known that 800 is moderate estimate o
the losses and many more persons fell TO
day.
The revoIutionaries had few successes
They surprised force OF gendarmes Il
Karetnaia street today. killing and wound
ing twenty OF them. Since then artiller.
has been firing uninterruptedly In tina
section OF the city.
In many cases dragons fired into privat
houses where they suspected revolutions
ries had taken refuge.
In nearly every district large number
OF innocent persons were accidental
killed or wounded.
Late this afternoon IL was reported tina
nghting was proceeding IN the outskirt
I Of the city and that there were heav
losses on both sides.
During the day bombs were thrown 1
the streets
The troops hold the railway stations bu
the plundering OF freight cars continues
Three hundred OF these cars have been en-
tirely stripped on the Kazan railway sidin
alone.
strike at Odessa.
ODESSA, Dec. A.-The general politics
strike began here today The bakers an
q water works employees. however are sti
az work The garrison maintains a passiy
attitude. and grave fears are entertaine