The San Francisco call., 1906-08-05

PETERSBURG. Aug. with a
general strike formally declared
and the country apparently on
- the Threshold Of a gigantic
struggle minor issues fade ia the back
ground II the strike inaugurated to
dav gathers sufficient headway 10 en-
danger the life of the state IL has Nlr-
tuallv been decided that Grand Duke
Nicholas Nicholaievitch VIII be named
commander Of ali the troops IN the
empire where martial law exists.
which would be tantamount TO the de-
creeirg of "a military dictatorship II
is possible, however, that the Govern
ment will not be driven 10 this eN-
tremity. as the showing made today by
the St. Petersburg proletariat was not
Impressive.
Although nearly 10000 workmen
were reported 10 be out at nighttaI'
many Of the men appear to be entering
the struggle with heavy hearts Inc
spontaneity with (which practically the
entIre nation arrayed itself against the
old regime last fan is lacking; the. en-
durance OF the people has been sapped
by the long strain; the sympathy OF
the more conservative liberals has been
alienated by fear OF a revolution, ana
the lowest elements Of the population
have been organized into what are
known as BLACK Hundreds" and are
ready 10 enter the tight on the side OF
the Government if the signal Is given.
LEADERS ARE QUARRELING.
Discussions are also rife among the
leaders over the oQportuneners OF the
battle But these viii probably be
shortiived II the response Of the coun-
Try shows that the nation indorses the
movement Moscow and ST. Petersburg
are expected TO decide the issues The
railroads. upon which the initial sue
cess depends. although committed, nave
not set formally ordered strike on
the ulterior object Of the proietariat
leaders which at present is masked
must depend the atVitude or the troops.
n the military supports of the Govern
ment stand up as they did at SVeaboFg
and krenstadt, the leaders acknoWl-
edge that the game is lost but even
SO they declare that defeat, If il forces
the dlsaffected portion Of the army to
show its colors, VIII only prepare the
way for final victory
The Bourse Gazette says General
Trepoff Will be appointed Minister or
War. succeeding General Rudlger- N.
G0remykin. who was Premier from May
2 20 July %. has left St Petersburg
and gone abroad.
squadron OF warships arrived at
Kronstadt last night. The vessels are
anchored under the guns OF the forts
According TO the reports from Reval
tire trouble there is not over. 1t ap-
pears that the crews Of the torpedo
boat Abrek and the destroyer Posi-
cUtshni. which the cruiser Pamyat
AzoNa summoned 10 join In the mutiny,
ran their ships ashore and took to the
woods The loyal part Of the crew OF
the Abrek opened the vessels sea-
cocks 10 prevent her from falling into
the hands OF the rebels
TRAINS RUNNING REGULARLY.
The railroad stations. which are oc-
cupie6 by troops. were the scene Of
considerable excitement this afternoon,
bat trains We're running regularly.
The members Of the Workmen's s
Council. in conjunction with the Radi-
cal groups of the outlawed Parlia-
ment have made definite arrangements
10 proclaim themselves provisional
government If success crowns their ef-
forts
The revolutionists claim to have
positive Information that a conference
OF the chiefs Of the military and secret
police was held here last night, at
which the question whether troops viii
obey orders 10 FIRE on the people was
considered The officers expressed
grave doubts as 10 whether the SOL
diers. especially those OF the guard
regiments, would obey without provo
eaton. The revolutionists add that II
was arranged that Government spies
shah give the necessary provocation by
firing on the troops with revolvers. A
proclamation was therefore prepared
by the revolutionary leaders reciting
these alleged facts and warning the
wbrkmen To be on their guard against
such prOVocati0n.