The San Francisco call., 1905-01-24

or Nicholas is completely prostrated by
grief. He is reported to be almost in a
state of collapse over the situation. In
! the meantime everything awaits his
,, decision. All the schools are closed.
Every window in Grand Duke Ser
gius' ST. Petersburg Palace was broken
by a mob during the night
The story of the events Immediately
preceding and during yesterdays out
break, as viewed by official eyes, is CIV
en- in the Official Messenger as follows:
All attempts of the factory inspec-
tors to pacify the workmen were fruit
less and every worker of the large
factories Joined the strike, which
spread quickly and extended to nearly
ali the works in the city. At the same
time the demands of the men increased
and these were formulated in writing,
mostly by Father Gopon. The employ
ers discussed the demands and decided
that if some of them were satisfied it
could not fail to ruin industry, while
others deserved to be examined and
partially conceded. Furthermore, will
ingness was expressed to negotiate
with the men, but not with the strik-
ers' organization. The workmen re-
fused to agree to it and violated the
agreements between the masters and
men of the different factories.
REVOLUTIONISTS TO BLAME.
AS the strike was being conducted
without disturbance of public order, no
repressive measures were adopted and
not single person was arrested. The
agitation of the workmen's organiza-
tion was, however, soon joined by agi-
tation of revolutionary circles. On the
morning of January q the Workmen's
Association, led by Father Gopon, ap-
peared with open revolutionary tend
encies. On Sunday, Father Gopon drew
up a petition of workmen to the EN-
peror, which contained besides de-
mands on behalf of the men, insolent
demands of political character.
Among the workmen verbal and writ
ten notifications were circulated, urging
the necessity for meeting on January
% on the Palace Square, in order.
through Father Gopon, to submit the
petition to the Emperor. One of the
demands was of a political character
and the real purpose of the meeting on
the Palace Square was concealed from
the workmen: Fanatical speeches
which Father Gopon, forgetting his
clerical dignity, addressed to the men,
and criminal agitation excited the men
10 such an extent that on January %
large crowds proceeded to the center
of the city. E9
SERIES OF BLOODY COLLISIONS.
AT some points bloody collisions oc-
hot -
consequence OF their refusal to- obey
the police regulations, or owing to their
dlrect attacks on the troops. The lat
ter were obliged to fire in the SchIus-
setberg causeway, near the Narva Tri-
umphal Gate; in Troitjki Square. and
In the fourth line of the Vassiliostrov
quarter; in the Alexander Gardens. at
the corner of Nevsky Prospect and
Gogol streets, near the police bridge
and at the Kazan Cathedral. In the
fourth line the populace erected three
barricades of planks and wire. On one
of these red flag was hoisted. From
the windows of neighboring houses
shots were fired and stones were
thrown at the military. The crowd
took swords from the policemen and
armed themselves Herewith. They pil- |
laged the Schaff small arm factory and |
carried off about a hundred swords. a |
large number of which, however the !
police recovered. The crowd DESTROYED |
telegraph wires and knocked down
poles The municipal building in the
second District was attacked and de- |
moiished. In the evening five shops on
the st. Petersburg side were plum /
dered"
STRIKE HEADQUARTERS CLOSED
Interior Minister Sviatopolk- -Mirsky
at IL o'clock this morning teIegraphed |
orders to close the headquarters of the
Workmen's Union. This was done by
the workmen themselves without police
After the last volley in the Vas
siliostrov quarter at midnight the men
abandoned the few barricades which
they held until that hour and retired
The word was passed around by the
leaders to remain quiet for the present
During the night fine, damp snow
fell. covering the ugly red stains and
celebrating all traces of the conflict
OF yesterday and with the break of
day the city, except for the presence
or troops in the streets, had resumed
It's normal appearance. The shops had
reopened and general traffic was par
TALLY resumed. The men appeared at
work In several of the factories and
mills, including the works of the Rus
sian Westinghouse Company, but the
in majority of cases told
them to remain away for a few days
and that in the meantime they would
receive their pay.
The people generally were nervous
and apprehensive and kept indoors.
The strikers. looking weary and hag-
gard after the excitement of yester-
day, collected in sullen little groups
In the vicinity Of their various head
and yesterdays barricades
awaiting the decision of their leaders
regarding the plan of action. They
were in an ugly mood and broke out
N curses whenever soldiers marched
by.
GUARDS HOLD THE BRIDGES.
An early morning tour by a press
showed that a Gordon
d troops barred the entrance of the
city from the big industrial sections.
The bridges were still held by the
guards regiments, it being rather
strange to see the officers of the I'm
Derial Guards, the pets of the st.
Petersburg drawing-rooms, riding
and doing police duty in
he streets around the. palace. There