The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-25

Bloody Collisions Have Already
Occurred and Agrarian
Troubles Threaten.
St. Petersburg, Oct. 25.-PEnce Hill
kof has submitted a request that the
council of the empire assemble under
the presidency of the emperor to dis
cuss the strike situation. His majesty
approved the request but announced
that Count Witte will be president in
stead of himself.
st. Petersburg, Oct. 25.-Over half
of European Russia is in the grip Of the
striking railroad men and the strike
continues to spread rapidly in all direc-
lions. The roads in the Volga region
are at a standstill, and today a gem
eral strike was proclaimed on the two
remaining lines running out Of st. Pet
eersburg. Before tomorrow the capital
is expected to be cut off from the out
side world by way of the continent.
This will also involve the suspension
of postal communications.
h League of Leagues has seized the
opportunity to come to the support of
the railroad men and has adopted a
LII wv " d SSutIdl GTlhO
of all professions. The telegraph oper-
ators are joining in the movement, and
the suspension of railroad traffic, it is
feared, will be followed by a complete
obhteration of communication between
interior points.
Situation Critical.
The situation is critical and preg-
nant of all sorts of dire possibilities.
The factories in The affected districts
have been forced to shut down for
lack of fuel, and Moscow especially
faces not only a food, but a water fam
inc. Fortunately st. Petersburg will
have communication open thru Finland.
The British ambassador, Sir Charles
Hardinge, who babe farewell to EN-
peror Nicholas yesterday, previous to
leaving st. Petersburg on a mission in
connection with the proposed Anglo
Russian understanding, was unable to
start for England this morning be-
cause no trains were running. He will
leave the capital on the first available
steamer.
Telegraphic communication between
ST. Petersburg and Kharkof is broken.
Factory Workmen Strike.
The workmen of the HsE1sf, Kol-
Jolno, Alexandrovski and Eg0ski works
struck this morning.
Socldi ueWOcraLS DelleVe they
have the government at their mercy,
since, with~the railroads stopped, the
authorities are powerless to transport
troops. This is all the more serious,
as bloody collisions already have been
reported at various places and a dan
gerous agrarian movement has again
broken out in the government of Sauna
"a. The strength displayed by the 500
cial democrats has amazed the authori-
ties whn wQra f1 ION nI,ifo oc rn1,oh hxS
surprise at the evidence of their power
as they were at the time of the Gopon
rebellion.
The distress in the central provinces
is greatly increased by the enforced sus-
pension Of the famine relief work.
Strikers '''Burn Their Bridges
Prince Hilkof expects to meet the
railroad delegates here, but apparently
they have already burned their bridges.
A dozen meetings were held last night.
The largest, which was held in the
university, was attended by about TO-
600 persons, including students, who
are making common cause with the
workmen and whose leaders are max
Of the students strike, unless they are
= allowed to discuss political questions.
The students Joined the railroad men
in passing a resolution in favor of the
immediate c~onvocation of a constitu.
ent assembly elected by direct univer-
: sal suffrage, and in demanding that
= the laws governing labor be sane
: toned by the representatives Of the
, people, and the immediate grant Of po.
! litical freedom, and in declaring that
thus only can an armed revolution be
avoided.
! Mere Privileges Promised.
These resolutions we're adopted after
: a. deputation which called on Count
Witte had reported. The count received
the deputation as a private individual
He informed his visitors that a law
permitting greater freedom of meetings
| than that allowed by the laws of Italy
and Austria-Hungary and providing fol
! freedom Of the press had already been
: elaborated. Martial law on the rail.
Q roads, he said, was an anachronism
: which should be abolished. The demand
for a constituent assembly, the count
: said, could not be realized nor could
l universal suffrage be admitted, as all
the people were not prepared to exer
f else the rights Of franchise. He thought
Y it possible to meet the demands fol
t an eight-hour day, especially for out.
t door workers, and warmly favored the
Q general measures advocated with the
view to improving the conditions of the
" 1 80 eNS VI
schools, hospitals. etc.
Witte Fears Bloodshed.
r Count Witte warned the deputatior
that a continuation of the strike could
d only result in bloodshcd, either by
e compelling the interference of the mill
. tary or by the famine-stricken people
turning on the strikers.
Remember, - he said, "the govern
a ment may fall. but with it you viii
perish also by playing into the hands
Of the bourgeoisie you are fighting.
Count Witte advised the men to re
turn to work, but his advice, however
!, was howled down and the resolution tt
Y strike was adopted.
Hilkof Is Hopeful.
Prince Hilkof believes that the strik,
y cannot be prolonged, as the men ar
without funds. Besides this, he de
3 clares it is impossible for the men {,
realize their dream o.ftying up all tn,
e railroads simultaneously. With the az
f s~istanee Of the railroad battalions som,
n trains, the prince says. will be run.
Some of the revolutionary leader
e here declare the present strike is sim
ply a test of strength as a prelude O.
Il a complete strike Of all the socia
If groups.