The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-01-24
= T. PETERSBURG. Jan.

Q 7. PETERSBURG, Jan. 23.-The
y most startling feature in the sit
uation tonight is the news that
several factories in Moscow have closed
and that the workmen in the old cap
1tal Of Russia are repeating the tactics
OF their fellow workmen of the new
capital. marching from shop TO shop
and mill to mill, demanding that the
establishments be shut down. The
whole city is reported to be in a state
o great excitement over the news of
TIE bloOdshed here yesterday, which
has precipitated immediately the strike
that had been scheduled for Wednes-
day. MOSCOW has more WOrkmen and
less troops than St. Petersburg and be-
SldeS is just now the heart of the liberal
movement. and the danger of bloodier
occurrences there than have been wit
messed here are proPOrtOnately great
or n rising At Moscow is also more
likely TO have greater results indus
trialy and politically than that of St,
Petersburg.
Other Cities Infected.
According to private reports. the
vorkmen i'm several other big cities
notably KharkOf. where large IOcomo-
tive works are located. already have
completed plans for a general suspen-
sion of work Moreover Feports are
current that the workmen. who other
wise would soon be forced back into
the shops or Starve, have received as
SGranceS Of financial support from
sources which hitherto have furnished
Sinews of war to the liberal and reVO-
lntionary agitation, but have not before
been in touch with the Ia Dor movement
If the strike becomes general all over
Russia. and especially if the railroads
are drawn in, it might Immediately
force the nation to make peace with
Japan.
Situation Very Grave.
The situation appears grave from ev-
cry standpoint, but the authorities. al
though apparently somewhat Devil
oered. declare their purpose to stand
firm, maintaining that il is their first
duty to preserve Ter, scouting the
idea of actual rev tuition. Seemingly
tie ministers are most concerned over
tie effect of the present situation
abroad. where. they declare, eXagger-
ated reports create d false impression.
Significant Reports.
What. if any. steps have been taken
10 relieve the general situation, how
ever. have not been yet disclosed; but
there are extremely significant reports
tonight that Emperor Nicholas, in max
ms the decision at the extraordinary
meeting OF the council of the empire
at Tsarskoe-S elo today to declare St
Petersburg in a state of siege an
bounced that he had resolved to issue
a manifesto to the people with a view
OF calming them. promising to create
officials To investigate and decide the
questions Of the demands of the strik-
eTs. especially the one affecting hours
of labor. which Russian law fixes at
eleven. The Representatives of the
vorkmen. according to this report, are
Lot TO be appointed but selected by the
laboring men themselves This would
1- the first concession to the represen-
tative principle.
According to reports the emperor win
endeavor TO investigate yesterdays
events in St. Petersburg.
Military and Police.
The military everywhere today had
n firm grip on the situation and the
police used every precaution, such as
forbidding the use of petroleum and
requiring the people 70 remain indoors.
The tension, which was somewhat
Teiaxed in the morning, continued 10
increase during the day Conditions
appeared to be ominOus when, shortly
after dark the WOTkmen in two cleo
trio light plants walked out, refusing
triple pay to remain, and plunging half
the city into utter darkness, including
the NeVsky Prospect, which is the fash
iOnable residence quarter. The water
supply. also. was cut OFF. and a veri-
Il Bile panic ensued Tales that dyna-
mite was in the possession OF strikers
and that il was the purpose to sack
and burn the town had been i'm circu-
lation and many people were terror
Stricken.
Reserves Called Out.
Reserve troops were called out to
guard the darkened portion of the city.
The people still in the streets. except
n few strikers and roughs. fed to their
homes. Police officers visited every
house and store. ordering all not 10
venture out at their peril and to turn
out the lights in their front windows.
Sbopkeepers, and even private house
owners boarded or barred their win
dows and doors. After about four
Tours soldiers from the engineer corps,
With the aid of German engineers from
factories. started the plants. When
the lights were turned on, except for
tho patroiling cavalry and infantry
the streets were deserted. At midnight
when life in the Russian capital IL us