New-York tribune., 1905-12-18
ALL RUSSIA SHUDDERS.
II Fearful Struggle Promised Be
tzCeen Rulers and PeODLe.

| ST. Petersburg. Dec ia shudder of horror
has convused Russia The government says It
has given battle only to the "red" revolution
lists. but the populace generally believe that
| white terror has returned Already the lead
ers Of tbs proletariat organization who escaped
capture Saturday night at the Economic So
| ciety, and even of the rank of Professor
Miliukof in hiding from the police. who are
hunting them down. The government evidently
anticipates battle royal, and has made it's dis
positions accordingly 1t fully understands that
the proletariat will give blow for blow and
answer the wholesale arrests
The Workmen's Council and the League Of
Leagues on Saturday night issued a declaration
of a general strike to begin Immediately, and
consequently by imperial ukase. published
this morning. all governor generals, governors
and projects throughout the empire who are cut
off by telegraph are clothed with almost die
tatorial powers. being authorized. without con-
sulting St Petersburg, to declare martial law.
AS most of the provincial authorities are reac-
tionary officials. the advantage they will take OF
such power to terrorize the populace can be
easily imagined. Each may become a petty
tyrant and wage war in his own particular
fashion against the revolutionists.
An official communication has been published
warning especially those groups opposed to the
carrying out of the reforms promised In the i'm
periaI manifesto of October so. whose tenets
are revolutionary and sociaIistic. whose tactics
are anarchistic and aim at the dfsorganization
of the country by the stoppage of the posts and
teIegraphs" and should the ordinary laws fail
to stem the tide of revolution the government
will have recourse altogether to exceptional
measures
report that Count witte has resigned is in
circulation but it is false. 1t may. however. be-
come true at any moment, General Count
Alexis Ignatiefs is being held in reserve.
close friend Of the Premier says that Count
Witte had no faith in the policy of the Minister
of the Interior, NJ Durnovo. and consented TO
accept it only on condition that it would be con-
fined to legal means The same informant says
that an official communication announcing re-
sort to legal measures as the policy of the gov
ernment will be issued tomorrow. It is the
opinion of many Liberals, as well as revolu-
tionaries. that with the first discharge of can
non Count Witte will 60" They say it matters
little whe.haz the Premier is or is not in sym
pathy with ,hs policy Of reaction and that he
cannot shirk responsibility for it One of the
leaders said:
The step taken toward reaction marks the be-
ginning of the end, and the policy which has
been begun is bound to fail. The governments
task Will not be merely the arrest Of a small
group Of leaders. but that of the whole popula-
tion. The powers conferred on the provincial
by the imperial ukase is tantamount
to a declaration of martial law throughout the
country. ana the irresponsible acts of repression
which the officers of the old regime will be sure
to commit when let loose can only serve to fan
the flames.
NJ Nomechaef. Minister of Communications
has issued orders the chiefs of all the railroads
not to recognize organizations OF railroad men,
particularly cautioning them not to allow the
passage of the orders of their leaders to the or
The government has chosen q desperate mo-
nent to repress the proetariat. 1t Is fighting for
It's life in the Baltic region. where revolt is
admitted to be in full blast. with almost practi-
cal certainty that if it cannot be crushed its
1ames will spread to Poland. The native popu-
alton Of the ancient Kingdom OF Lithuania is
made up of a hardy and headstrong people. who.
having raised the banner of revolt will fight to
he end
At Moscow the government is confronted with
| muttny of troops so serious that it has been
obliged to send regiment of cavalry from st.
Petersburg to aid in the suppression of the
nutincers.
The government to- lay succeeded in restor-
ng cable communication abroad. but it is un-
.ble to guarantee how long it viii DC able TO
,eep the lines in operation
Petitions from tho nobility OF Riga. windau,
.ibau and other places in the Baltic PROVINCES
ave been received by the government. implor-
ng it TO abolish martial law. which. the peti-
ions say. is only infaming the situation.
News from the interior tonight is most se-i-
us. The revolt in the Baltic has spread south
oEWEYs WINES FOR HOLIDAY GIFTS.