The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1905-01-19
STRIKE SITUATION in
RUSSIA BECOMES CRAVE
FIPTF-EIGHr THOUSAND MEN
HAZE OUR WORK.
Movement Spreading to Big Cotton
sIilIs-sociaIistic Democrats Urging
the Strikers oa-Great Danger of
Collision with Troops-striIxers Lead
by Priest-workmen Generally
Vote to Support the Strike.

by Priest-worklnen Generally
Vote to support the Strike.
st. Petersburg. Jan. l.-The strike
situation is becoming very grave. To-
night there are $1,000 men out ON strike,
and the movement is spreading to the
big cotton mills. which employ over 5O.-
600 operatives. Meetings have been call
ed for tomorrow, at which the social
ist democratic leaders will use their ut
most endeayors to convert the strike in
to vast political demonstration, which,
at the present crisis. might have most
serious developments.
The authorities are adopting every
precaution to avoid an outbreak; but
the socialist democrats are spurring on
the strikers and there is great danger
'of a collision with the troops, which
would be almost sure to be followed by
red flag demonstrations, accompanied
by great bloodshed. In conjunction with
the Epiphany celebration, which will oc+
cur Tomorrow, the meetings of strik-
ers will make the day critical one for
the police. Thus far, however. the
strike has preserved a purely economic
aspect. The great industrial quarter OF
st. Petersburg presents the appearances
of an armed camp. The idle factories
are surrounded by cordons of police and
patrols of infantry. march about the
snow covered plains.
The strikers are led by priest mans
ed Gopon, who is idolized by the work
men, and who represents them in nego-
tiations with the employers.
This is the first great strike In north
ern Russia. Hitherto the workmen have
been unorganized and previous strikes
in st. Petersburg have not involved
more than 10000 men. The strike lead
ers claim to have funds enough to hold
out for a month, but this is doubted,
and the lack Of money and privations Of
winter, and perhaps government inter-
ference, are expected to make the strike
short and sharp. The strikers, who at
first declined the offer Of financial sup
port by the socialistic democrats Of
Moscow on the ground that they wish
ed to sharply differentiate the walk out
from political movement, are reported
to have accepted the Moscow cofItrtt
tfon.
The strike has an important bearing
on the war in the Far East, as the de-
lay in completing government contracts
at the iron works means the loss OF
precious time in the starting Of the
Third Pacific sqquadron.
AT meetings of workmen, without dis
tinction of political belief, which were
held tonight, it was decided to support
tho strike.
The employees at three additional fac
tories engaged chiefly on government
contracts have voted not to resume
work on January 20, afte rthe Epiphany.
holiday.
Al noteworthy feature OF the petitions
which 1t has been determined to circu-
late among the workmen for presenta-
ton to the crown is the reiteration Of
the sections of the zemstvos memorial
asking for freedom Of speech, the press.
and right of assembly, a responsible
ministry. and representative govern
ment, the last feature which was ig-
nored in the imperiad rescript replying
to the petition. 1t is expected that 300s-
900 signatures will be obtained.
tits reported that the socaaHstic DEM
ocratic faction did not show great
strength at the meetings Tonight, and
the anti-radicals are greatly encouraged
at the apparent determination OF the
majority of the strikers to confine their
contest to trade issues.
The minister of finance has taken of
fetal cognizance OF the workmen's dis
affection, and invited representativ I've en-
ployers of st. Petersburg and Moscow
| to a conference to discuss measures to
allay the discomfort Of the Workmeil.