Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-30
THE CRISIS IN RUSSIA
CAR HESITATING OVER GRANT
ING DEMANDED REFORMS.


bloodshed in the Russian capital, and while
the city is outwardly calm, developments
all indicate crisis is at hand. Although
the streets are filled with troops and rein
forcements are now pouring in from Fin
land, the government seems utterly power
less to cope with the situation, and many
calm observers seem seriously to believe
that the present regime is tottering to it's
fall.
Differences have developed between Count
White and Gen. Trepoff, and while the pre-
cious moments pass, the emperor, sur
rounded by the imperial family remains
shut up at Peterhof, seemingly still hesi-
tating as to what course to pursue.
Grave doubts are expressed as to whether
even the imperial guard can now be relied
upon. Discomfort is rife. Yesterday morn
ing the 14th and 18th Eluipages of Sailors
of the Guard, who have been shut up like
prisoners in barracks on the Moska canal,
demolished the windows and furniture, and
in the afternoon a detachment, consisting
Of four officers of the guard, went to the
lawyers assembly and told the barristers
that many officers and large part Of the
troops were disguised with the government
and were ready to enlist in the movement
for freedom.
They asked for aid toward effecting an
organization, and said they had discussed
among themselves the question of resign
form could help achieve liberties.
Even the Cossack patrols, in keeping
idlers moving in the streets yesterday,
seemed careful not to use their whips, and
simply drove the crowds along before their
advancing horses.
Government Seems Powerless.
Such news as comes from the interior
shows no improvement in the situation
The government everywhere seems power
to brao l. tb.a ,l1;+ r;I>a
Kharkoff order was only restored after the
governor had formally instructed the troops
not to fire, and upon the demand of the
'black heads at Reval the soldiers were
sent out of that city and the place left in
charge of a local militia, which had been
organized by the citizens.
Most interesting by far however is the
news from Moscow, the real Russian cap
ital, where, according to private reports
the municipal council and the committee
of public safety sitting continuously,
and where a struggle is momentarily ex-
pected between the League OF Russian
Patriots, a reacuonary organization, led
by the priests, and the newly organized
militia and students. The Moscow munich
pal council is also reported to have sent
an ultimatum to the emperor demanding
the PRONUNCIATION of a constitution.
Although 1t is impossible officially to con-
firm these reports, they seem to admit of
no doubt that the anti-government forces
have the upper hand.
The government is no longer in commu-
nication with the forces in the far east,
cept by cable by way of China.
Situation Extremely Grave
The situation cannot we'll be exaggerated
With the present indecision Of the emperor,
the government has neither head nor a
policy to meet the crisis, and things seem
to be drifting toward anarchy. The revo-
lutionists openly declare that the govern
remains to his majesty except to abdicate.
With a firm hand at the helm and a
tional policy, however, all might quickly be
changed. The strikers apparently are with
was made evident by the action of the strike
committee here in practically being forced
to hold up the city for food.
Representatives of the Associated Press
drove through all sections Of the city yes
terday Troops were everywhere in evil
dence, as If to overawe the people, but al
though there were many rumors of bloody
collisions, none of them could be anthem
ticated. There were great crowds of work
men in the industrial quarters, but their
behavior was orderly.
All the military reserves are kept closely
in barracks under arms, and at the Horse
Guard barracks, back of Gen. Tepoff's chan
celery, the horses are kept constantly sad
died. ready to emerge at moments notice.
Like Captured City.
The Russian capital is like a city in the
possession of a foreign army. Last night
again the soldiers were bivouacking in the
darkened and otherwise deserted streets.
A dispatch to a London news agency from
Odessa says there have been two serious
conflicts there between the troops and
mob, in which twenty-seven persons were
killed and ninety wounded.
The dispatch adds that quiet was re-
stored at o'clock last evening.
A dispatch to the London Standard from
Odessa, timed pm. October 20, says:
"A collision between the military and a
crowd of students and strikers occurred an
hour ago in Tirapoloskaya street. The SOL
diers, without warning, fired point blank
into the people. killing twenty and wound
ing sixty. The students are holding a
stormy conclave at the university"
1t is reported from Kieff that three regi-
ments have mutinied in the southwestern
province, and there are alarming reports
here of the doubtful fidelity of three bat
talions of infantry.