New-York tribune., 1905-01-21
THE AUTOCRATS' POLICY
Firm Measures Adopted - City
Turbulent Prounces Effected.

"'O"tCHt FOCMCfS <1U tCCC0-
st. Petersburg Jan. 2I-with the Russian
capital seemingly on the verge of an incipient
revolution. thousands of workmen parading the
streets. agtators and fanatics sowing the seeds
of disorder. half the city in darkness and with
out fire protection. owing to walkouts the stu
alton hourly growing more tense when the
authorities decided last night to adopt energetic
measures to preserve order. prevent rioting and
overawe the violent minded. at the same tms
seeking to pIaeate the striking wo-kmen by Of
fering satisfaction of their demands in so far
they just and reasonable. thus acting
with combined frmness and moderation.
The government last night augmented the gar
rison of the city with $500 cavalry and 1000 in
fantry from Tsarskoe seo. and filed the streets.
especially In the disafected quarter. with heavy
patrols OF soldiers
The refusal 10 permit a delegation OF work.
men to present a petition to Emperor Nicholas
at Tsarskoe Selo has made il known that the
great demonstration planned for Sunday. with
It's unlimited possibilities for an outbreak. VIII
not be permitted to take place. At the sans
time. acting In conjunction with conferences
of employers. it has been determined to Offer
concessions in the terms of employment which,
the employers declared. the great majority OF
the workmen would be inclined to accept If they
should have guarantee OF protection from the
more violent faction.
Gopon. the leader of the workmen had been
quietly spirited away from his bodvguard and
taken into custody in furtherance OF the plan
to disorganize the elements that are threatening
the peace of the city.
The authorities believe that by these steps
they have matters well IN hand and announces
that they expect a peaceful solution Of the
problem.
The situation had entered an acute stage yes-
terday and the strike assumed an open political
phase. The day was one of intense excitement.
Mill after mill and factory after factory closed. p
Thronss Of workmen paraded the streets and
when their colleagues refused to Join them
broke down gates and forced out the men. Ths
whole industrial centre is idle. All the textile
mills and printing Offices in ST. Petersburg are
closed. One electric light plant and one water
plant have shut down and over one hundred
thousand men are out.
Through the day workmen's meetings were
held. at which incerdiary speeches were made.
the widest threats being uttered as to what
would come in the event of the authorities and
employers falling to meet their demands Ths
nervousness and dread of what the next few
days might bring forth were increased by re-
ports that the workmen Of Moscow. Kiefr
Kharkon. Kishiner, and other large cities in
the interior might Join the movement Wills
the government and employers temporized. ths
telegraphers and railroad employees threatened
to join the walkout. paralyzing the eommuni-
cations Of the country Many foreigners ara
preparing to send their families abroad. Every
newspaper IN St Petersburg has been forced
to suspend publication, owing to the strike.
The suddenness of the strike and the far
reaching nature OF the workmen's organization
were largely surprise 70 the government and
employers. Starting with the walkout Of
few thousand employees Of the PutiIoH Iron
Works. due to purely industrial causes. IL
spread like fire through the laboring classes OF
St. Petersburg.
At first only industrial demands were present
ed. such as shortening the hours Of labor ard
for increase Of wages. but poverty and discon-
tent under the incitement Of Social Democratic
agftators. led to the formulation OF political de-
mands a petition was drawn up and largely
signed which. goiqgs beyond the complaints on
which the strike originated, attacked the whole
capitalistic system Of the country, bitterly as
sailed the present government as one OF bureau-
cracy. and demanded the reform Of both. assert
ing that death was preferable TO existence under
such conditions.
This was 20 have been presented personally 20
Emperor Nicholas. deputatlOn OF workmen
endeavored to see his majesty at Tsarskoe Selo
and appeal to him TO come 20 the Winter Palace
on Sunday to be present at an immense demon
stration or the industrial classes. II was
planned TO have all the wOrkmen IN ST. Peters
burg headed by their leader. the priest Gopon.
in full canoncaI garb. march to the palace and
assemble in the great parade ground Il was
the intention OF the strikers TO disregard any
attempt OF the authorities to suppress the meet
ing. though the workmen agreed to attend the