The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-27

st. Petersburg, January 25., 2:15 a. IN.
Governor General Trepoff, and Min
lister OF Finance Kokovsoff issued
proclamation last night which reveals
the governments plan for breaking the
strike not only here, but throughout
Russia. The proclamation is conceived
in paternal tone and points out that
honest workmen, who want to better
their demands to the government, in
stead of being anisled by agitators into
affiliating with a movement which is
not confined to economic aspirations.
It. invites them to return to work. prom
ising them in the emperor's name re-
vision of the general law SO as to re-
ton of a plan for state insurance, and
otherwise to meet their demands so far
as the law will permit, and guarantees
them protection from interference by as
itators. This document will be followed
either by an imperial manifesto along
the same lines, in the hope of prevent
ing the spread of the strike or by speci
fc proclamations by the local authori-
ties wherever strikes are in progress.
by promising to yield the question of
the hours of labor, which are now legal
ly eleven In Russia, the authorities be-
lieve they will meet the many griev-
ances of the workmen. This, together
u-itb no MT of nr0taPfiOn the
authorities hope will induce those strik-
ers who are Indifferent to political de-
mands, which class they declare consti-
tutes a great bulk of the men, to re-
sumo work.
It is certain many strikers were torc-
ed out against their wishes; but the
general effect of the proclamation is
still problematical.
Though the strikes have been spread
ing to various towns the situation to-
night, while disquieting, is not acute
anywhere. The. great demonstration
with an accompaniment of blOodshed
which was anticipated at Moscow yes
terday did not occur, and the strike IN
the ancient capital has not spread rap
idly, only about 10000 workmen being
out, according to latest reports. Cos
sacks charged and dispersed a crowd OF
three thousand women, and reports
were circulated in st. Petersburg that
many were killed, but advices direct
from Moscow at midnight, deny this,
the information being that only few
blank voileys were fired. The Moscow
military have received orders to avoid
a repetition of Sundays tragedy here.
and not use ball cartridges unless they
are driven to do so by the direct ne
cessity.
In several Baltic province towns there
has been considerable disorder, espe-
cially in Riga where the military are
in complete possession. In the streets
of Helsigfors there was last evening a
resumption of Tuesday nights rioting
with bioodshed, some thirty persons be-
ing wounded. If a general movement
breaks out among the Firms it is likely
to take the form of an armed uprising,
as almost every Finn has weapon in
his house.
Sir Charles Hardinge, the British am
bassador last night received from CAP
tain Grove, the British consul at Mos
COW, confirmation of the Associate
Press dispatch from Moscow announc-
ing the public posting Of a London te'-
eegram imputing the disorders to Brit
ish and japanese influences, and he viii
ask explanations from foreign Minister
Lamsdorff today. 1t is not expected
however that the affair will lead to a
serious diplomatic incident. and it is
thought the Russian government vii
sdisavow responsibility for the course