New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-26
THE RUSSIAN STRIKES.

The Russian railroad strikes are steadily grow
ing more formidable and are threatening to IN
volve all the ma or industries or the empire.
The latest dispatches tell that more than hall
the European empire is in the grip Of the strik-
ers: that the mail service is paralyzed; that the
imperial capital is isolated from the world, save
bv telegraph and steamship; that the telegraph
operators are also going on strike; that the
British Ambassador has been prevented from
leaving St Petersburg on an important errand.
and that factories are being compelled to close
because of lack of fuel and other supplies
There seems to be comparatively little riot1ng,
but the quiet persistence Of the strikers is even
more effective than violence would be and more
ominous Riots could be suppressed by the
troops but men who simply refrain from work
ing cannot, in Russia, be forced TO work
at the point of the bayonet. 1t seems TO be no
exaggeration to say that European Russia is at
this moment threatened with something more
like a universal strike than anything that any
other country of the world has ever suffered.
and Just at the time when the empire is par
ticuarly i'll prepared to deal with such crisis
The most serious feature of the case is that
the strike is more political than industrial 1t
does not appear that the strikers are demanding
shorter hours higher wages. recognition of
unions or any of the familiar demands of strik-
ing workingmen in other lands. They ere de-
handing political reforms under the leadership
of the Social Democratic party. They are striv-
ing to force the government into granting
greater reforms than those provided IN the Car
recent proclamation. The Douma, to be created
a few months hence is not sufficient They de-
mand the immediate calling of a constituent as
sembly, for which all the people, and not merely
one in hundred thousand, shall vote, and
they also demand that the enactments of that
assembly especially on Industrial matters, shall
heoopoa low alternative is they Y.
luton But their demand is also for revolution.
The choice is simply between revolution by con-
cession and enactment and revolution by forci-
BILE instruction. In any case, it is made pain
fully evident that the Cars grant Of Douma
and other reforms falls far short of meeting the
popular demand We expressed the fear at the
outset that such would be the case, although
think the people would act more wisely in ac-
cepting the reforms already granted and making
the best of them, as stepping stone to some
thing better. It is not judicious, in Russia or
elsewhere, TO expect "aIl things in an hour"
What is most important for both government
and nation and what the world is most anxious
to see is the effect of the strikes upon the policy
and temper of the government. Three things
are possible. The government may become panic
stricken and may yield to the strikers demands.
That would be doing only what 1t will probably
do in time; but the time and the manner would
be ominous of evil. 1t is not well to grant
forms for which nation is not ready, and it Is
not we'll to grant anything at the demand of a
mob. Again, the government may become
dictionary and because of these strikes may he
inclined to recede from or TO delay of the
reforms upon which 1t has already decided.
That would not be altogether surprising or
without precedent in Russian affairs though it
would be deporable. The third course is for the
government to pursue the predetermined tenor
of it's way. just as though these strikes had
never occurred. That would be decidedly the
best of the three courses for the government it
self and for the people. But to pursue it would
require stronger government than we have of
late been accustomed to at st Petersburg
If it be true however, that Count Witte has
been made practically the Prime Minister-an
Office hitherto unknown in that empire-the GOV
eminent may develop sufficient strength and
constancy to pursue such a course, for that
statesman has the strength to do it. and com
mands, If any man in Russia commands sufi-
cent confidence, both at court and among the
people