The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-11-14
WOULDN'T FIRE
UPON SAILORS


st. Petersburg, Nov. 10-The latest
reports received here from Cronstadt
say that the mutiny of the sailors and
soldiers, which has been Joined by
many marines and dock laborers is
still unchecked The dockyard and
the majority of buildings connected
with the military establishment have
been destroyed. The principal shops
and many residences in the commercial
quarter of the city likewise have been
burned or razed.
The first detachments of the infantry
and artillery forces sent to the city
to suppress the mutineers have begun
to arrive, but as yet there are not
enough loyal troops on the ground to
make much headway against the re-
bells. Today, however, will see the
arrival of many more soldiers in the
city
| 1t is impossible to secure confirma-
ton of the report that a regiment
of Uhlans sent to Cronstadt yesterday
to put down the mutiny has joined the
insurrectionary movement.
The trouble originated with the send
ing of 200 sailors who were arrested in
ST. Petersburg for participation in the
recent riots, to Cronstadt for punish
ment. This was one of the last acts
of General Trepoff before his retire
ment as governor general of st. Pet
ersburg. The rioters were sentenced to
heavy penalties.
| The sailors we're shipped under
strong guard on transport. Enroute
to Cronstadt they overpowered the
crew and took possession of the trans
port. A petty officer was elected COM
mander of the vessel and the red flag
was hoisted.
On the arrival of the transport at
Cronstadt, the port admiral sent an
officer aboard her to demand an eX-
planation of the mutineers' action in
flying the red flag. This officer was
seized by the mutineers.
The news that the transport was in
the hands of the mutineers spread
rapidly through the city. The port
admiral hoisted a signal ordering the
mutineers to surrender. They replied
-I'by again throwing out their red flag
/ Orders were issued to the shore bat
iteries to fire on therebellious transport
but the artillerymen refused to obey
and overpowered their officers who
tried to enforce the command.
During the morning of Thursday, the
authorities made feeble attempt to
restore order in the city. They sent
a force of marines to conquer the mu-
tinous artillerymen but the marines
promptly joined the mutineers.
In order 70 prevent the mutiny from
spreading among the sailors all ships
in the harbor we're ordered to leave
Cronstadt Several of the vessels were
unable to obey the command, how
ever, owing to the desertion of theiI
crews.
Il The mutinGus marines and artillery
! men marched to the quay singing rev.
olutionary songs. They were Joined
by the sailors from other ships in the
harbor as we'll as men from the bar
racks. The dockyard employees also
marched out to join the mutineers.
When the original 200 sailors who
had started the mutiny left the trans
port and landed in Cronstadt they were
received with the greatest enthusiasm
by crowd Of sailors and soldiers
which had grown to 1000. They march
ed through the principal streets sing
ing revolutionary songs.
Several police officers accompanied
the mutineers and led the procession
9 in an endeavor to keep the men with
in bounds and prevent them from com
hitting excesses, but they were mo-
= able TO make their influence felt fol
very long. An attack was made upoI
several government liquor shops and
! as the men secured drink they became
unmanageable The proprietors of tive
of the shops offered resistance and thi'
angered the mutineers. The shops
of the men who resisted them wer,
burned and sacked. Many gallons o
|. vodka were poured in the streets.
4 Made unreasonable by the liquor they
|, had drunk the mutineers threw off al
restraint and plundered freely, setting
fire to shops where resistance was Of
fered them, Some of the mutineers in
vaded the residence section and Sc
fire to buildings there.
The mutineers secured possession o.
. six quick firing guns and a supply
of ammunition. One of the guns wa'
placed in position in front Of the res
. idence Of the naval commander ant
the house was riddled with bullets
During the night drunken mutineer,
roamed the streets shooting at random