Evening journal., 1905-01-21
RUSSIA ON VERGE
OF A REVOLUTION
Thousands Of Strikers Pa
rading the Streets Of St.
Petersburg
WILD THREATS BEING MADE


tors and fanatics sowing the seeds of
disorder, half the city in darkness and
without fire protection owing to walk
outs. the situation was hourly grow
ing more tense, when the authorities
decided to adopt energetic measures to
/ preserve order, prevent rioting and
overawe the violent-minded. at the
same time seeking to placate the strik-
ing workmen by offering satisfaction
of their demands insofar as they are
just and reasonable, thus acting with
combined firmness and moderation.
The government has augmented the
garrison of the city with 2500 cavalry
and 1000 infantry from Tsarkie Selo
and filed the streets, especially in the
disaffected quarter, with heavy pa
trolls of soldiers.
A proclamation was issued this
morning forbidding all assemblages,
parades or other demonstrations in
the city, and warning well-dispOsed
worSmen and other private individuals
to avoid gatherings, as the authorities
were determined to break up and dis
perse meetings imperilling public
safety.
The proclamation is printed in the
Police Messenger, which is the only
publication appearing this morning,
the police having forced the printers
to remain at work until the paper ap-
peared.
The refusal to permit a delegation
Of workmen to present a petition to
Emperor Nicholas at Tsarkoe Seio has
made it known that the great demon
stration planned for tomorrow, with
its unlimited possibilities for an out
break, will not be permitted to take
place At the same time, acting in con-
junction with a conference of employ
ers, It has been determined to offer
concessions in the terms of employ
ment, which the employers declared
the great majority of the workmen
would be inclined to accept if they
were guaranteed protection from the
more violent faction.
1t is reported that Father Gopon,
the leader Of the workmen, had been
quietly spirited away from his body
guard and taken into custody, in
furtherance of the plan to disorganize
the elements that are threatening the
peace Of the city.
The situation had entered an acute
stage yesterday, and the strike had as
sumed an open political phase. The
day was one of intense excitement.
Mill after mill and factory after fac
tory closed. Throngs of workmen pa
raded the strets. and when their col
leagues refused to join them, broke
down gates and forced out the men.
The whole industrial centre is idle All
the textile mills and every printing
Office in st. Petersburg are closed. One
electric light plant and one water
plant have shut down, and over 100,
600 men are out.
Throughout the day workmen's
meetings were held, at which incen-
diary speeches were made, the widest
threats being uttered as to what would
come in the event of the authorities
and employers failing to meet their de-
mands. The nervousness and dread of
what the next few days might bring
forth was increased by reports that the
workmen CT Moscow, Kieff, Kharkoff
Kishineff and other large cities in the
interior might join in the movement.
The suddenness of the strike and the
far-reaching nature of the workmen's S
organization was largely a surprise tc
the government and employers. Start.
ing with the walk-out of a few thou.
sand employees of the Putilon Iron
Works, due TO purely industrial causes
II spread as rapidly as a confagratiCr
through the laboring classes of st. Pc.
tersburg and became general. At FRS
only industrial demands were present
ed. such as shortening the hours o
labor and for increase of wages; bu
poverty and discomfort, under the in
citement of socialisEc democratic ngi
tators, led to the formulation of polii
icay demands. A petition was draw
up and largely signed, which, going be
yond the complaints on which th
/ bAilht OlAElu0Atuf eAlAdNhtu lllC Mli0A
capitalistic system of the country bit
terly assailed the present governmen
as one of bureaucracy and demanded
the reform of both, asserting tina
death was preferable to existence un
der such conditions. This was to hav
been presented personally to Empero
Nicholas. A deputation of workmei
endeavored to see his majesty a
Tsarkoe Selo and appeal to him I
come to the winter palace tomorrow 3
be present at an immense demonstra
ton Of the industrial classes. 1t wa
| planned to have all the worl1men 4
: st. Petersburg, headed by their leadei
the priest Gopon, in full canOnics
garb march to the palace and assem-
BILE in the great parade ground
font of the palace and there preseI
$ the petition to his majesty. The depu
tation, however. will be refused ai
S mission tc Tsarkoe Selo. The govern
ment believes that this will render
meeting tomorrow impossible.
e 1T was almost miracle. Burdoc
e Blood Bitters cured me of a terrib