The Minneapolis journal., 1905-11-17
Nervousness Prevails.

Extreme pessimism and nervousness
are everywhere prevalent. Indeed, pes
simism is the note of the moment in
official circles At present the general
revolution and not constitution is
aimed at. =,
simultaneously come persistent re-
ports that Count Witte is desirous Of
resigning, while. most Of the powerful
members of the unions declare that he
cannot possibly succeed, his position be-.
ing SO hopelessly compromised.
Another report runs that the officers
Of the Guard petitioned the czar to re-
scind his offer Of a constitution, under
taking to repress any troubles which
surely set Russia in a flame of revolu-
tion from one end to the other.
| Ice is coming down the Neva and will
speedily close navigation. Many pes
simists are: sending their fortunes out
of the country for safety.
Situation Menacing.
st. Petersburg, Nov. II, p.m.-Ths
| outlook for an early collapse of the
strike is more gloomy today. The sit
| uation is distinctly more menacing.
The council of workmen's delegates
| or strike committee is manifestly en-
couraged by the extension of the strike
| in ST. Petersburg, various organizations,
| including the bank clerks, telephone
girls and some of the professional
leagues, having voted to Join in the
| the workmen' s council has received
mysterious supplies of funds and con-
sequently presents bolder front.
! Practically all the pretexts based on
economic demands have been aban-
doned, altho the eight-hour day figures
in the oratory at meetings in order to
hold the workmen who have no thought
except improvement in their material
condition.
| scornful Reply to Witte.
The workmen IS council returned .
scornful reply to Count Witte's per
sonal appeal to his "brother work
men,, +" ridiculing the government g pro-
fession of solicitude for the workmeu
and renewing their demands for the inn
mediate abolition of martial law in
Poland, etc. The text of the reply is
as follows:
"The council of workmen's dele
gates expresses astonishment at the
emperor s favorite who permits himself
his brethren. The proletariat is not re.
lated to him in any way.
| "Count Witte appeals to us to be
compassionate of our wives and chill
dren. The council; in reply, invites
| the workmen to count the widows and
orphans who have been added to the
ranks of the workmen since the day
Count Witte assumed power.
"Count Witte reveals the benevolent
intentions of the emperor towards the
working classes. The council reminds
the pro1etariat Of the bloody Sunday.
Count Witte begs us to give the
government time and promises to do
all possible for the workmen. The coun-
Gil knows Count Witte has already
found time to give Poland into the
| hands of the military executioners. The
council does not doubt Count Witte will
do all possible to strangle the revolu-
tionary proletariat.'
.Count Witte calls himself a man
who is benevolent towards us and wish
es our good. The council declares the
working classes have no need of the
) benevolence of court favorite, but
demand a popular government on the
basis of universal, direct and secret
suffrage
Witte Falls in Farley.
4 Count Witte Is attempt to negotiate
directly with the strike leaders ha!
thus come to naught, altho he offered
concessions in the case of the Kron
stadt mutineers in the event of thell
Gontinnad an 2d PAGE. 4th Column.