The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-01-27
ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL NUM-.
Der KILLED VARIES FROM
500 TO 5000.
NET BY VOLLEYS AND CHARGES
WORKMEN ASK TO SEE EMPEROR
AND ARE SLAUGHTERED
eY TROOPS.

St. Petersburg, Jan. 24.-IeSterday
was day of unspeakable horror in St.
Petersburg. The strikers, goaded to
desperation by day of violence, fury
and bloodshed, are in a state of open
instruction against the government.
A condition almost bordering on civil
war exists in the terror-stricken Rus
sian capital. The city is under mar
tiai law, with Prince VasilchiEoff as
commander OF over $4,000 of the en-
peror's crack guards. Troops are biv-
ouacking in the streets and at various
places on the Neysky Prospect, the
main thoroughfare Of the city. On the
island of Vassili Ostrov and in the in
dustrial sections
lnfuriated Men
have thrown up barricades, which they
are holding.
Minister of the Interior Sviatopolk-
Mirsky presented to his majesty Sat-
urday night the invitation of the work.
men to appear at the winter palace
yesterday afternoon and receive their
petition; but the emperor's advisers
already had taken a decision to show a
firm and resolute front, and the emper-
or's answer to 100000 worlmen try
ing to make their way to the palace
square yesterday was Il solid array OF
troops who met them with
Rifle, Bayonst and Sabcr.
The priest Gopon, the leader and
idol of the men, in his golden vest
ments. holding aloft the cross and
marching at the head of thousands OF
worklnen through the Narva, gate. mi
raculously escaped I; voIley which laid
low half a hundred persons. The fig
urcs Of the total number killed or
wounded here, at the Moscow gate, at
various bridges and islands and at the
winter palace vary. The best estimate
is 500, although there are exaggerated
figures placing the number as high as
5000. Many men were accompanied
by their wives and children and in the
confusion which left no time for dis
elimination, the latter shared the fate
of the men, The troops, with the eX-
ception of single regiment, which is
reported to have thrown down its
arms, remained loyal and obeyed or
ders. But the blood which crimsoncd
the snow
Has Fired the Brains
and passions Of the strikers and
turned women as we'll as men into
wild beasts and the Cry Of the infuri-
ated populace is for vengeance. The
sympathy of the middle class is with
the workmen. If Father Gopon, who
is the master mind Of the movement,
aimed at open revolution, he managed
the affair like a genius to break the
faith of the people in the little faith
err who they were convinced and
whom Father Gopon had taught them
to believe would right their wrongs
and redress their grievances Gorky,
the Russian socialist, expresses the
opinion that yesterdays work will
break this faith of the people in the
emperor. He said to the Associated
Press:
Fight to Bitter End.
"To-day inaugurated revolution in
Russia. The enperor's prestige will
be irrevocably shattered by the she'd
ding Of innocent blood. He has alien
ated himself forever from his people.
Gopon told the people to believe that
an appeal direct to the little father
would be needed. They have been un-
deceived. Gopon is now convinced
that peaceful means have failed and
the only remedy is force The first
blood has been shed and more will be.
1t is now the people against the op.
pressors and the battle will be fought
to the bitter end
Toward 8 O'Clock in the evening the
exhausted crowds began to dispense,
leaving the military in possession
AS they retreated up the Nevsky Pros.
pect the workmen put out all the
lights.