Arizona republican., 1905-12-11
SLAV CRISIS
 MOST ACUTE
Government Breaks With
 Labor Organizations
The End Whatever it May be Brought Nearer-The Widest Rumors in ths Air.

ning-Another crisis is at hand involv- ing the indefinite prolongation of tne strike and probably the immediate pre- cipitation of a general strike through out Russia and possibly the final struggle between the government and proletariat. This sudden change for the worse is the result of the shedding of the first blood in the telegraph strike this afternoon almost simulta- neously with the action of M. DurnovO, minister of the interior, in throwing down the gauntlet to the labor organi- cations by arresting M. Krustaleff. president of the executive committee of the workmens council, without warning.
 About ? o'clock several companies of Cossacks clattered through the streets leading to the headquarters of the council in Largovia street. Having barred the approaches force of troops surrounded the building, after which secret service men rushed in and Selz- ed Krustaleff. The latter made no re- sistance and the affair was conducted quietly It was impossible for Krus- taIeff to conceal the papers of the or ganization in which the police evident ly expect to find evidence proving the ultimate effect to be an armed upris- ing against the government.
 A disturbance in which two strikers were killed and a policeman and sev- eral others were wounded occurred at the same hour in front of the gen. hour immediately in front of the gen. eral post office. The strikers for two days had been seeking to persuade the volunteer and regular carriers to refuse to work. At the door of the building today the strikers, enraged by the refusal of the volunteers to quit drew knives, whereupon the carrier attempted to defend himself with re- volver Both the carrier and a com panion were killed on the spot. A squad of policemen were stood off by strikers and workmen wno sympathiz- ed with them. Both sides exchanged a fierce fusillade, during which police man and several workmen were wounded.
 As the strikers were withdrawing a Cossack patrol came galloping to the rescue. One of the strikers turned and threw an imitation bomb and the Cossacks wheeled in order to avoid what was presumed to be deadly mis- slle. The crowd managed to get in an open court way close to the door and escape.
 The news of the arrest of Krustaleff caused a tremendous sensation among the workmen All the socialist, labor and kindred organizations are holding meetings tonight at which the most inflammatory speeches are being made in Genunciation of the government and all are talking of a general strike in order to save their leader.
 Krustaleff, as he is called, though that is not his name, is regarded as the brains of the revolutionary move ment. He has displayed a genius in | organizing both the industrial and political strikes which have terrorized the government. His offer of financial | support to the telegraphers yesterday prevented collapse of their strike. In some quarters it is believed that the government, realizing that a great struggle with the workmen and the 1 socialist organizations is inevitable, Tn January. arrested Krustaleff with the | intention of deliberately precipitatine matters by challenging the organiza- | tions before they are fully prepared | This show of strength also gives color | to the report that the douma election | law which is now expected to be pro- muigated next week, is to be foliowel | by energetic measures to restore order l even if it be necessary to declare mar tial law in various parts of the em-
 pire on the ground that it would bt | impossible to hold elections in the | present state of the country. At tn;
 same time it is understood to be tho
 intention of the government to go
 step further in the direction of ap- | Deasing the peasants by providing fol
 the purchase by them on the install
 ment plan of a portion of the crowT
 appanage and private estates tha
 have been hypothecated to the govern ment land banks and unredeemed.
 While such a program would un doubtedly receive the sympathy of tha | section of the population which de sires the restoration of order abov' everything, especially of the business 1 interests, like the manufacturers or St | Petersburg, who yesterday passed
 resolution in favor of prosecuting tn
 agitators to the fullest extent of th law. it would provoke the soclallSt and revolutionaries to desperation
 The moderate liberals also believe tha
 such a policy would be suicidal ant
 be sure to bring in its wake repression
 Many persons believe that Witte VII
 not lend himself to such program
 and his fall is imminent, and tha
 when he goes to leave reaction an
 revolution will be face to face. l
 is again rumored that the premier ha
 already resigned and will be succeede by General Count Alexis Ignatieff.
 Another rumor is to the effect tha
 Lieutenant General Mistchenko, one
 the heroes of the war in Manchurls
 who is now on his way to St. Peters
 burg. will assume the dictatorship.
 The Associated Press is unable
 obtain confirmation of any of thes rumors On the contrary. it learn
 from a high source that Witte's posi-
 tion so far as the emperor is concern
 ed is perfectly secure, and that hi
 majesty is giving him the widest co
 operation. Nevertheless, the count
 failure to accomplish something tan | Continued on Page 5.