Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-22
3 TRUNK LINES TIED UP
RAILWAY STRIKE IN RUSSIA AS
sUMED SERIOUS ASPECT.

ST. PETERSBURG. October 21.-The
strike of railroad employees assumed a seri-
Gus aspect today, when, with the three
great trunk lines out of Moscow completely
tied up and the other Moscow roads en-
barrassed, trains were stopped on the
branch road from Nizhnf. The Pan-Rus-
sion union railway employees have issued
call for a general strike on all the railroads
of Russia.
The extent to which the call viii be
obeyed remains to be seen, as the union
is of recent origin and its strength an UNI
known quantity, but up to midnight no ad-
ditional strikes have been reported. A meet
ing of ST. Petersburg railroad men was still
in session at late hour tonight and had
not yet reached decision to strike.
The demands of the men are purely polft-
ical, and, therefore, 1t is expected the strike
will last only long enough to serve the pur-
pose of demonstration. Socialist leaders
claim it is intended only to show Their
strength and is a curtain raiser to thor
ough and complete tie-up OF the Russian
railroad systems in January an object
lesson to the government and the douma.
The political nature of the movement is
shown in the call of the national union for
a general strike, which makes mention
of economic demands and declares the
workmen are fighting for the elementary
human rights of freedom of speech and OF
the basis of universal suffrage, and that
these are obtainable only by a strike.
Brothers., the call says, I'VE have great
power in our hands. The railroad en-
ployes' throughout Russia share our views.
The time has come to declare general
strike. Before our might the government
must give way
The lines on which traffic has ceased are
the Moscow and Kazan road running
through the important centers; the Nizhni
Novgorod and Vladimir, Yarosiav and
Archangel line, running northward to the
White sea; the Riazan and Uralsk road,
which runs southeastward from Moscow.
tapping the great grain regions. and the
RiZan, Tambouff, SaratoR and Samara line,
penetrating deep into the. steppes. The
North Caspian and Nzhni Novgorod road
affected Is a branch line connecting with
the KaZan and Riazan roads.
The strikes the other Moscow roads
are partial and are largely confined to the
office forces, the men of which were intimi-
dated into stopping work.
The government is prepared in case the
strike affects the Nlcholai railroad or the
lines to Berlin and Vienna. to order the
mobilization of the railroad battaions of
the army in order to keep communications
open between Moscow and ST. Petersburg
and abroad but IL hopes the strike enthu-
sfasm of the workmen will exhaust itself in
a, few days.
Every Road is Affected.
MOSCOW, October 21.-Practically every
road leaving Moscow Is affected by the
strike except the Nicholai line to St. Peters,
burg.
Traffic is at a standstill on the Kazan
road and on the line to Yaroslave and
Archangel.
The shopmen of the Kazan and Arch
angel roads have struck. and it is reported
that the train crews on the Kursk roads
deserving their trains
Strikers today forced the employees In the
general Offices and financial departments
nf dc la It'd ,wl l.
Moscow and Brest and KiefT and Veronezh-
to leave their work
Important Road Stopped.
KOZLOFF. Russia. October 21.--The en-
pioyes OF the Riazan and Uralsk railroad, an
important trade artery between Moscow
and the Aral Rea. struck today. All traffic
was stopped The workmen demanded the
eight hour work day and liberty of speech
and of the press.