The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-28
NEWS FROM EAST
 IS IN GOOD TIME St Petersburg RejOices in Rt-
 pulse of Oyama SITUATION GETS BETTER
Strikers Seem Inclined to Turn Backs on Political Agitators and Return to Work, Trusting in the
 Government.

St. Petersburg, January 2S-2:9O a. m.)- The news of General Kuropatkin's suc- cessful repulse of the Japanese advance comes most opportunely. The belief ex- ists here that Field Marshal Oyama sought to take advantage of any depres- sion prevailing in the Russian ranks as the result of the news from St. Peters burg to launch an attack against General Kuropatkn's right, but the Russian com mander-in-chief seems to have nicely turn ed the tables, inf1icting considerable loss upon the Japanese on Thursday, and taking several positions westward along the plain of the Hun river. Evidently General KuropatHin is following up his victory, the latest dispatches to the As sociated Press from the front dated 6 o'clock in the evening of January 27, in- dcating that there is battle in progress along the center and becoming more and more serious However, it seems to be confined to artillery. If the fighting de- velops into a general engagement military men here believe that 1t must reach to the Hanks, their opinion being that a frontal attack by either side under the present circumstances is impossible.
 Will Partially Distract Attention.
 The authorities are receiving the news from the front with great satisfaction, be- ing convinced that it will serve to at least partially distract attention from the strike situation and internal affairs gen orally. At the same time the strike situ- ation generally is improving. In St. Petersburg there Is no longer any doubt that the strike is practically broken. Fourteen establishments, including the Franco-Russian, Aboukoff, Baltic, Russo American Rubber company and Ropes American Refinery, have already resumed, and an entire starting up of factories seems to be assured for next Monday A remarkable feature Is that the men who are returning to work are not asking con- ditions of the employers.
 They have seemingly turned their backs upon political agitators, and ac- cepted the governments promises in the matter of shorter hours, and an equitable adjustment of their grievances at their face value That the government proposes tC compel the men to settle upon the governments terms. is plainly evidenced by Finance Minister Kokovsoff's response to deputation of masters yesterday
 
 governments decision after an imperial investigation of both sides of the con troversy to carry out the letter and the spirit of the proclamation of January 2j. Naturally to the masters this means that they will have to foot the bills.
 One of the best posted and most fa- nous Russian liberals said to the Asso- ciated Press last night:
 Liberal Makes Statement.
 Whilst the events of last Sunday have given an enormous impetus throughout Russia to all movements against the ex- isting order of things, it is truly mar velous with what skill and adroitness the government seems to be turning the situation to its own account, with the very men who have suffered and who, less than week ago, would have been in open revolt. had they been able to procure arms.
 The people here will soon be perishing from hunger unless assistance Is im- fnediatey sent them. There is doubtless grain enough in the province to keep the whole population alive. were it even ly distributed.
 Business Is at a standstill. Work can not be found and nose who would glad ly labor, remain in idleness and hunger. In the city very many families are with out food and fuel and multitudes more have food enough to last but a very few weeks.
 ''The governments proclamation ap- pealed to the workmen to always look to the government for redress of their grievances, reinforcing this proclamation with quiet missionary work with such agencies as the government knows so well how to employ to convince them that the bloodshed and misery brought down upon them Sunday was the result of listening to student agitators and
 a,gn fba ey0x ant H. wishers generally, and the governments S plan evidently has been successful with the vast majority Outside of Father Gopon's organization of a few thousand, the workmen had little and cared less for political aspirations. Their sole idea was to improve the miserable lot of themselves and families, but their imag nations were stirred by the orators idea of an appeal direct to the Emperor and they Joined the movement with en- thusiasm While the events of the last few days have left many of them for ever in the ranks of the socialists and revolutionaries the vast bulk are going hack to work muttering against the pro- gramme of the agitators, which seemingly only brought them sorrow and misfor- tune"
 Revolution Not Vet Ripe.
 sneaking generally of the situation this gentleman said:
 strikes will sweep over Russia like wave but If revolutionary, it is not yet ripe It is only spasm, convulsion of greater or less duration in different places accompanied by disorders and perhaps by bIoodshed. It will subside temporarily at least and reappear again in some other form, now in the cities and next in broad country. movement of which I have received information and which is agra ran in character. already is afoot in the nroyince of Kieff I expect its extension fin the spring throughout central Russia. If is an unintellgent protest by peasants against the landlords, some of whhom are striving earnestly to help them. It is very similar to the movement in the provinces of Poltava and Kharkoff of three years ago. when the peasants attacked the land lords, burned their property and robbed and killed them. and possibly it may necessitate a similar reign of terror in country districts. The governments em- barrassment will go on and the autocracy will fight inch by inch, but it will be forced to give way as it has done here,