The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1905-02-02
EMPEROR W[lKEHs.
Receives a Delegation of
Workmen From All the
Leading Factories Of
Russian Capital. ~
PROMISES THEM REFORMS.
WILLDo EVERYTHING PoSSIBLE e
TO IMPROVE THEIR LoT.

EnJOins Them to Return to Their Work
Gift Of s25,OOO Made by Imperial
Family 10 Aid Families of Victims
Manufacturers Also Make Big Con-
cessions--WilI Pay Men for Time
They Have Been ON Strike, Not as a
Matter Of Right but as a Favor
Strike stin Spreads Throughout Em-
pire Reaching Far-Off IrlSutsk and
Other Siberian Towns. a
St. Petersburg, Feb. 2.-12:4e a. mr.
Personal assurances OF his intention to
arneliorate the conditions and remove
the causes, in so far as they are econ
omic, which led to the recent strike,
were delivered by Emperor Nicholas
yesterday to delegation Of working
men representing all leading factories
of st. Petersburg, who at his invitation
journeyed to Tsarskoe Selo and were
received in audience in the hall Of the
Alexander palace, where he has his
winter residence. N
This interview face to face with their
little father. in whom their faith has
not been shaken by the events of the
bloody Sunday Of January %, has had
a far greater and more reassuring eff
feet than any number of proclamations
by ministers and governor generals,
and the workmen of st. Petersburg are
now generally inclined to accept the
4 promises Of Governor-G General Trepoff
and Finance Minister Kokovsoff at
their face value. The gift by the i'm
periai family Of $25,0OO to aid the fani-
lies Of the victims of the conflict on
January % also has had an excellent
effect; and as the news slowly pernle-
ates the laboring classes of Russia it
is expected that it will make them con-
tswt 10 wait for the promised reforms.
Like a wave caused by the falling Of
a stone the strike movement however,
is spreading over the great sea of Rus
sian industrial life: and while st. Pet
ersburg and Moscow,where the troubles
began, are now placid, the Workmen Of
4 Poland and other provinces are not vet
calm, and the ripple has reached to
far-off Irlzutsk and other Siberian
towns IN
Emperor Nicholas adopted the tradi-
tional fatherIy tone in his talk with the
worknen yesterday. He chided them
for allowing themselves to be misled
into engaging in the movement imper-
\ filing the internal order Of Russia and
4 aiding the foreign foe, and for at
tempting to demand by force what he
otherwise would be willing to do volun-
tarily. The Workmen received the royal
assurances of reform with cheers and
after a lunch at the imperial table re-
turned to ST. Petersburg in the best of
htlmor to report to their fellows, as en-
Joined by the works of his majesty.
No attempt was made by them to pre-
sent their desires. which already are
sufficiently evident. The action of the
ST. Petersburg manufacturers in plac-
ing themselves in the hands Of the gov
ernment in the matter Of the adjust
ment Of the main points of the dispute
and to grant the men pay for the time
they have been on strike, not as a mat
ter Of right, but as a favor, and their
contributions in aid of the sufferers
among the families of their workmen,
are expected to add to the prevailing
good feeling.
The current of gossip to the effect
that NJ. Bouligan, former governor of
Moscow, will succeed Prince Sviatopolk
Mirsky in the ministry Of the interior,
is another straw tending to confirm the
surmise that Grand Duke Sergius is the
dominant influence in the grand ducal
faction The appointment of General
Trepoff, who was Sergius' nominee, to
the governor-g generalship of ST. Peters
burg, narrowed the power of the min
lister of the interior and, it is believed
precipitated Prince sviatopolk- Mirsky's
resignation; and that those who are
posted should pick another Moscow
man and friend Of Grand Duke Ser
gius to receive this portfolio indicates
a growing appreciation of the influence
Of the emperor's uncle.