Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-21
First RevolutionaryGuns
 Fired.
RUSSIA'S DOWNFALL
Workmen of Russia Preparing for a Desperate Struggle Which Means Revolution and
 Bloodshed.

St Petersburg, Dec 21-The first guns in the battle which may deter mine the fate of Premier Witte's ex- pertinent with moderate constitution alism and introduce either reaction or complete revolution, were fired yes terday at Moscow where the general strike was successfully inaugurated.
 The leaders of the government of the proletariat last night were making their last preparations here for gen. eral engagement which will be on at noon today. The workmen's council has been sitting continuously since , o'clock yesterday afternoon receiving reports and issuing final orders. The leaders profess to be greatly encourag cd at the news from Moscow and the reports from district meetings which were held in all sections of St Peters burg yesterday, declaring that now there is no question that the tie-up will be complete. They admit that many of the St Petersburg workmen, especially the married men, would prefer to continue at work, but they are counting on the great majority fa- yoring the strike to swing the recall citrants into line and produce para lysis of industry even more complete than during the strike of January last If their expectations are realized St Petersburg to-day will be isolated from the rest of the world with rail road traffic stopped and telegraph wires and cables cut.
 The workmen's council last night issued proclamation declaring that the government had cast to the winds the principles of the imperial mani festo of October 30 and was now bas- ing itself on reaction, trickery and de- ceit. The. proclamation ended with summoning all the people of Russia 10 join in general strike and not to cease the struggle until the demands for constituent assembly, universal suffrage, the release of the arrested leaders of the proletariat. land for the peasantry. etc. are granted.
 The editors of the radical papers are determined to print the manifesto this morning. It is utterly revolutionary in Its phraslng and consequently the editors are taking infinite precautions to prevent the cOnfscation of the is. sues by the police. The government leaders yesterday devoted the day to reviewing their plans for the conflict and in consequence the consideration of the proposed election law was not finished The final decisions will be reached at another session of the cab inet to be held at Tsarskoe- Selo Fri. day.
 The first test of the railroad strike Will occur on the departure of the Berlin train from here at noon today. NJ. Nemechaieff. minister of communi cations. will attempt to keep the for eign communications open and the workmen will resist
 Indications are multiplying that the governments grim warning to the people of the smaller towns to take the law into their own hands if the railroad strike is called will bea, fruit. M. Nemechaieff is counting upon this as well as on financial req. sons to keep many of the petty em. ployes in line
 At the meetings of various liberal | and revolutionary organizations held | last night the sentiment as a rule was in favor of the strike.
 In response to a number of requests from editors of local papers who were expecting their employees to strike, the workmen's council has decided to al- low the radical organs to appear. In Moscow. however. all the newspapers will be compelled to cease publication.
 The physicians union decided last night that the dictates of humanity re uuired the members to attend all sick persons. but il wer resolved to devote all fees received to the strike fund and to boycott all doctors not doing SO.