Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-01-21
Today's Telegraphic News
CRISIS IN RUSSIA.

movement continues to spread in all
directions. and it is estimated that fully
$50. 900 workmen have now quit work
in the various towns. Delegates from
the workingmen of Moscow and Libau
arrived in st. Petersburg this morning
on the mission Of securing the co-opera-
ton OF Father Gohon in calling out the
employees of those towns. Government
officials profess no alarm regarding to-
morrow's proposed demonstration before
the Winter Palace, but despite these
professions, of security, it can be said
with authority that everywhere the
occurrence is awaited with baited breath.
There is not the slightest question that
the demonstration may prove the end of
the industrial crisis, or equally as read
lily the beginning of a revolution which
will shake Russia to her foundations.
Should the demands of the strikers be
met, or their petition which they pro-
pose handing to the Gar be met with
conciliatory promises and deeds, all
future trouble will probably be averted.
If, on the other hand, the troops or
some of the strikers commit some overt
act, blood may be shed, and the spark
be put to a magazine which would ex-
plode with a reverberatiOn to be heard
around the world.
The government is taking every pre-
caution to curb any disturbance. Mill
tary forces will be posted at strategic
points, but concealed in the neighboling
house as much as possible, for even the
reactionists have no desire to excite the
strikers by too open display of force.
Should collision occur, the result
would be nothing less than wholesale
massacre before the very eyes OF the
Gar. The strikers claim they will go to
the palace unarmed, and even did they
carry arms, they would have no chance
before the soldiers firing upon them from
sheltered positions. There is a general
belief that no such lamentable occurrence
will take place.
The Car is now in consultation With
his chief advisers as to whether it would
be advisable for him to show himself in
front OF the palace during the demon
stration He is understood to incline 10
to the view that it would be best for him
to do so, and that his advisers acquiesce
in this opinion, but no final decision in
the matter has been reached.
One of the results ofthe present agila-
ton is that the inlrigues against Prince
Sviatholsk- Mirski, the Minister of the
Interior, have ceased. The whole auto
cracy fully understands the dangerous
position of affairs, aud except for few
hot-heads in their midst, believe that
should Prince Mirski superseded at
this time, the strikers would regard it as
a challenge thrown them by the reac-
tionaries. This might readily cause
precipia ion of The much feared trouble
between labor and the government. The
strikers assembled in the streets early
this morning, and continued to show a
complete lack of turbulence They are
marching about quietly. delegations
visiting various factories persuading the
employees TO cease work Secret police
have been assigned to follow the strikers
and keep the authorities in touch with
every thing that is done. Thus far these
officers have shown no inclination to in
terfere in any way with the peaceful
propa landa which the strikers are carry.
ing on.
Considerable anxiety is felt regarding
the attitude of the railway aud telegraph
employees, whose adhesion to the strike
would disorganize the whole country. 1t
is understood if they join the strike, the
government will call them to join the
color. as reservists, aud teen order them
to return to work under army regulations.
If they refuse to comply with this de-
mand they will be treated as deserters from
the army. None OF the printers who
yesterday were persuaded to quit work,
Lave returned 20 their posts and as re-
suit st. Petersburg is today without
Violent socialist proclama-
tons are being circulated today calling
for general uprising. AS no plans are
the proclamations are having
absolutely no effect on the strikers. A
regiment of Uhlans were today drafted
into the winter palace for the further pro-
lection of the Car, and several guns ale
being prepared for mounting in the palace
court yards
Hundreds of students are today join
ing the ranks OF the strikers. Alta num-
Der Of meetings yesterday evening these
students, in company with large num-
Der of strikers, raised the cry OF 9" We
want no more war. What is Manchuria
10 u.s."
The strikers have notified the govern
nent that they have selected a corps of
400 picked men, who will act as body
guard to the Car 10 the event of his
agreeing to confer with their Leaders.
rhe members Of this bodyguard have
sworn to sacrifice their lives for the
Gar in fulfilling this guarantee of his
safety. Should he consent to confer
snce, they will surround him completely,
Ind prevent any possibility OF any one
With nihiistic frame of mind
coming anywhere near his majesty
person.
ST. Petersburg, Jan. q, 2. P. m.
The opinion is rapidly growing that
he government will be compelled 10
.oncede the demands of the strikers.
st. Petersburg, Jan. 2l.-The com
nittee of the strikers union have issued
Instructions that everything be done as
Iuietly as possible and that no violence
'e offered the police.
Traffic in the streets has hardly been
nterfered with bv the strikers. but the |