The Bowbells tribune., 1905-03-03
CAUCASUS IN
OPEN REVOLT
RElNFoRcEMENTs OF TROOPS
SENT TO STOP REIGN OF
TERROR AT BAkU.
STRIKE OF POLITICAL ORIGIN
CRAFTY POLITICAL LEADERS
WAITING SIGNAL FOR CON-
CERTED ACTION.
BIG BATTLE IS IN PROGRESS
ADVANTAGE ON SIDE OF JAP
ANESE, THOUGH AT VERY
HEAVY COST.

St. Petersburg, Feb. 2S.-Evidcnce
Is increasing that the strikes through
out the empire and especially those
in St. Petersburg are not economic in
their origin, but inspired by definite
political plan. The government and
employers are embarrassed by the
tactics of the workingmen, whose dis
content is being fed in the way of in
creasing demands and they will ac-
cept no concessions.
The disturbance is believed to have
been fomented by crafty political ad-
venlurers, who are stirring up the
men and at the same time holding
them in leash, apparently waiting
some signal for concerted action. Fear
is entertained that this widespread
agitation may be connected with
plan to await a possible peasant out
break in the spring, with which Gen-
eral strike will be synchrorised, the
workingmen joining hands with the
peasants.
Situation Very Serious.
The situation in Riga is again re-
ported to be very serious. The au-
thorities there apparently are unable
to cope with the lawless element.
In the Caucasus the situation is eX-
tremely bad, practically amounting to
civil war.
At Baku the inhabitants. harricaded
in their houses, are petitioning the
central authorities at St. Petersburg
for relief from the present condition
OF affairs. The government is send
ing reinforccments OF troops, but
while these may be able to stop the
reign of terror they will be impotent
to start the wheels OF industry. Pro-
prietors fear that the oil wells will be
utterly ruined if pumping is suspend
ed much longer. Conditions in other
towns in the Caucasus
Are Equally Desperate.
Owing to the gravity of the situa-
tion in the Caucasus and apprehension
based on depletion of the district
troops for the war, the government
has appealed to the Armenian Catho-
licos to exert his personal influence to
persuade Armenians to cease their ex-
cesses. The Catholicos went to Fri
van, where he exhorted the people to
remain tranquil.
Strikes have broken out at the
Lugansk coal mine and on the Siberi-
an railway at Chita. The strikers at
the latter point demand that the war
be stopped.
Dispatches from Batoum report that
doniciliary searches for arms have
been instituted in the quorters of the
worlIingmen.
In Siberia, as we'll as in other parts
OF the empire, the government has
granted considerable concessions to
railway employees, in some places ac-
cording them reduction of the hours
of labor to nine day. This renders
the situation of private employers in
creasingly difficult, as they claim that
it is impossible for them to concede so
much.
Big Fight in Progress.
St. Petersburg, Feb. 2S.--An action
OF no mean proportions is in progress
on the Russian left flank The ad-
vantage thus far is on the side of the
Japanese, though at heavy cost From
advices from the front it is difficult to
say how severe the losses have been
or how decisive the reverse, and
whether the japanese are likely TO at
tempt to drive in the Russian left
much further.
Japs Take Positions.
Nllkden. Feb. 2S.-Fighting ccntin-
ucs in front and west of Tie pass. On
the extreme east the Japanese have
taken the outlying positions and they
now threaten the main defense. OW-
ing to the formidable attack it is
thought that the Japanese artillery
men are veterans from Port Arthur,
commanded by Gen. Nogi. Forty
wounded Russians arrived at Mukden
yesterday and 400 are expected to-day.
Other indications point to an unusual
ctruro1o