Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-20
ROMANOFFS HIDING.
Assassination of Sergius May
 Stop War In Far East.
KAISER SENDS REQUEST TO GEAR
Increasing Difficulties at Home Will Lead Russian Government to Call Halt i'm observation-disclosures
 welt Sends Coincidence.


 ST. PETERSBURG. Feb. 2o.--A Der
 lin dispatch says that in letter from Emperor William which Prince Fred erick Leopold of Prussia presented to the czar on his arrival here the wish was expressed that peace soon be con- cluded between Russia and Japan. Strong influences for speedy peace are headed by NJ. Witte, president of the committee of ministers, who has been working quietly in this direction. General Gripenbergs revelations, fol- lowed by the murder of the Grand Duke Sergius, in the opinion of some of the ablest diplomats here are not un- likely to lead the emperor definitely to seek for peace.
 In diplomatic circles it is said that Emperor William has undertaken peace negotiations in some form. all though the few persons in a position to know naturally decline to furnish any information on the subject.
 The opinion is quite generally eX- pressed that the late horrible tragedy may be followed by decision of the Russian government to conclude peace.
 For some time, despite the official at titude maintained by the government, there has been a growing appreciation of the difficulties of prosecuting the war in the midst of increasing compli- cations at home. and the matter has been the subject of formal considera- tion by the emperor and his ministers at cabinet meeting.
 Emperor Nicholas has received through Ambassador Mccormick message of condolence from President Roosevelt, which contains a strong ex- pression of the adherence with which both the American government and people view the crime pcrpetrated at Moscow.
 It has been decided that the remains of Grand Duke Sergius will not be brought to St. Petersburg for the pres ent. but instead will be placed on Thursday next in temporary receiv- ing vault of the cloister of the Chau- dof monastery at Moscow.
 Governor General Trepoff has recog- niZed the fact that no precautions can furnish an absolute guarantee of i'm munty against an act of terrorism, and at great state funeral. where an cient custom requires that the emperor and all of the Romanoff family assem- ble and follow the coffin on foot, a sin gle bomb might wipe out the dynasty. Regard for the personal safety of the sovereign also has led to the decision that the emperor shall not go to Mos COW to attend the funeral of his uncle. It is possible that no members of the imperial family will be present on that occasion except those who are now within the walls of the kremlin. Grand Dukes Constantine and Paul probably will represent the emperor at the serv- ice
 So grave is the danger of repetition of the Moscow tragedy that several of the grand dukes have not stirred out of their palaces since the murder, and instead of going to TsarskOe-S Selo to attend the requiem there they have participated in special services held in the chapels of their own palaces. This was the case as regards the Grand Dukes Vladimir and Alexis. A special requiem also was held in the Winter palace for Governor General Trepoff. who is known to be under sentence by the fighting organization of the Social RevOlutiOnists and who. so far as can be ascertained. has not left his quarters in the palace since the assassination of Grand Duke Sergius.
 The strike situation has again grown menacing. especially in the matter of the railroads. three of which entering Moscow are almost completely tied up. In S,. Petersburg the strike has assum- ed the form of a lockout. the Putiloff Iron works. the Franco Russian works. the Russian American Rubber works and q few smaller concerns having dis charged all their employees. with the notice that the works will he shut down indefinitely
 The assassin of Sergius remains per sistently silent. His identity has not yet been established. and. although the police have been Investigating diligent- ly. they have been unable tp gather up the threads of the plot H. find any clews to possible acccmplices. The as- sassin's papers and clothes offer no means of identification. and his pass evidently was forged and appears never to have been vised.
 Revolutionary literature is being dis fributed broadcast throughout the cap ital and is to be picked up in offices and factories. where il can he scattered unobservei. These pamphlets assert that dissatisfaction is fast spreading in the army.
 A te!egram from Syehun reports a serious riot. w0rhmen wrecking the house 6 suspectel political informer. In tho fight between the rioters and the police one of inc former was killed. and several. including policeman. were wounded.