The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-30
Russian BattIeship Men
aces Odessa.
MUTlNEERS MAN HER
And Threaten The Troops in Conflict
With the Strikers. Other Warships
expected. Naval Battle May
Follow Their Arrival at
Odessa.
Odessa.
(By the Associated Press.)

Odessa, June 2S.-The red flag of
revolution is hoisted at the mast head
of the Kniaz Potemkine, Russia's most
powerful battle ship in the Black
Sea, which now lies in the harbor in
the hands of mutineers.
The captain and most of the Off
GERS were murdered and thrown over
board in the open sea and the ship
is completely in the possession of the
crew and a few officers who have
thrown in their lot with the mutineers.
The guns of the Kniaz Potemkine
command the city, and in the streets
masses of striking workmen who yes
terday fled before the volleys of the
troops. are now infiamed by the
spectacle of open revolt on board an
imperial warship, and are making a
bold front against the military.
All day long firing has been heard
in many quarters of the city A
number of barricaders have been ar
rested and tumulta and disorder reign.
The main squadron of the Black
Sea fleet, consisting of the battleships
Georgei PObiedonosetz, George the
Victorious) Tri Sviatitela, Rostilah
Land Ekaterina ii with two cruisers,
and a regular naval battle is in pros
pect.
The rioters are in q most defiant
mood and are not inclined to surrend-
er without fighting.
Reports of the mutiny, which oc-
Cured while the battleShip was al sea,
are difficult to obtain as the mutineers
refuse TO allow communication with
the shore; but it is aScertained that
fro ha Oh nf CQi
who was presenting, on behalf of the
crew a complaint against bad food.
According to one version this sailor
whose name was Omiltchuk, objected
to the quality of the "bOrchtch," or
soup, and was Immediately shot down
bv a mess officer. The crew then
rose and seized the ship and the Off
GERS, eight of whom were spared on
condition that they would join the
mutineers. The others were killed
and their bodies thrown overheard.
After a period of vacillation the Kniaz
Potemkne headed for Odessa, and
arrived here last night, accompanied
by two torpedo boats. Early today
the body of Omiltchuk was brought
ashore in one of the battleship's boats
and was landed on the. new mole,
where it has been exposed in semi
state all day. 1t was visited by thous-
ands of persons many of whom placed
coins in basket at the head of the
body towards fund to defray the
cost of the funeral. which the sailors
r propose to hold tomorrow, and which
the strikers will make the occasion of
a great demonstration.
An inscription on the breast of the
dead sailor states on behalf of the
crew that Omiltchuk died for the
truth, because he presented a just
complaint of the crew.
The authorities have made no at
tempt to remove the body, the sailors
having served notice that the ship
would open fire on any one seeking to
interfere with it. A police agent visit
ing the spot was killed by strikers.
During the day a red flag was hoist
ed on the Kniaz POtemkine and mem
bers of the crew rode from ship to
ship in the harbor forcing the stop
page of all work thereon. Food was
supplied them by sympathizers on
shore who pillaged the maritime
stOrehouSe
The strike is now general in the
city and the rioters are growing in
numbers and boldness. There were
exchanges of shots all day, but the
number of victims cannot be stated.
1hiS afternoon a bomb was thrown in
the Cathedral Palace, killing it's
thrower and a policeman.
telegram from the mayor of
Odessa. who is at Moscow, imploring
the citizens to restore order, has been
posted throughout the city,
During the day one o fthe torpedo
boats which accompanied the Kniaz
Potemkine came into the harbor and
seized the Russian steamer Esperan-
"a. The steamer was laden with
1000 tons of coal, which the battle
ship is taking on board
The governor has telegraphed for a
squadron to be sent from Sebastopol