Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-20
BIG POLITICAL STRIKE
REPORTED THAT RoBBEErss RE-
PLENIsHED FUND.
Special Cablegram to The Star.

Va ADTl N-AnOtheY
vast political strike is being planned, Mos.
COW probably being the center It is plaus.
IDLY stated that the recent bank robherIes
have replenished the strike fund. thus re-
moving the chief obstacle to a renewal OF
revolutionary activity.
Some interesting particulars ascertained
by the authorities in regard to the attack
on the bank belonging to the Mutual Credit
Society Of Moscow have been evolved by
the authorities. At a quarter to five IN the
AFTERNOON armed young men. apparently
belonging to the student classes, entered
the bank with revolvers In their hands and,
threatening the employers with bombs
which they took out of their pockets ana
fastened to the buttons OF their overcoats,
distracted from the safe $4,000.
The operation lasted fifteen minutes, and
throughout that time the bank employees
stood holding UP their hands as they had
been ordered to do by the pIunderers
Somewhat earlier the assistant secretary
had drawn attention 10 the fact that noe.
withstanding the business OF the day
was finished, two young men were walking
about In the hall They were asked 10
leave, but declined. At the same moment
other men entered by the chief entrance
and by another door. A policeman who
had seized the first two young men was
disarmed by the others. Another policeman
endeavored to reach the telephone but waa
pIEfcHttu from DONG so. eOuSly
all of the passengers and other policemen
were seized in the lower vestibule. Resist
ance was impossible.
Armed Men at Counters.
At all the counters armed men were
placed pointing their weapons at the EN-,
ployes. One placed his revolver on the
counter. and, drawing from his pocket @
small tin box with a fuse said that IL tho
slightest resistance was offered the whole
place would be blown into the air, as they
would not even spare themselves.
Another, evidently the leader OF the band,
went through both halls shouting, HANDS
upi" Then he added: Gentlemen, We come
here II the name of the revolutionary conn
mittee. We require money for the success
of our cause. We will not touch you, but
IL the slightest resistance is offered all
Will perish. They went to the treasury,
placed large bomb on the table and said
that on the slightest resistance It would
be exploded and all blown into the air.
Then they began to plumber the treasury.
When the armed men saw that the leaders
had left with the money they drew up
in two rows and compelled all of the erp-
ployes to cross over from the large ball
into the cash storeroom, saying that
II any one moved before fifteen minutes
the others on duty would throw a bomb.
The employees were huddled together in tho
storeroom and the plunderers then left.
From these movements and from the
thousand and one facts gathered ana
cleaned by the authorities II is argued that
either educated men with the greatest OF
brain power have turned bank robbers
something that no one In Russia, disorgan-
lied as It is, really wants to believe-or else
that they have made this and dozens OF
similar attacks on the banks, the railroad
trains and the mail service for the purpose
of securing the funds for a larger and
greater strike.
Views Substantiated.
This point OF view would appear to be
substantiated In a measure by the follow
ing circular, issued by the heads of thu
Pan Russian Railway Union:
persistent rumors have been IN circula-
ton that there will be a railway strike In
the near future. Owing to the provocative
proceedings OF the government everything
is possible, and the railway men may be
forced into strike before the time con-
templated by the leading organizations.
First of all, however, there must be exten-
sive and energetic work to renew and de-
veop the organized forces OF the Railway
Union, SO that the decisive moment may
not find It unprepared. We call on all rail-
way employees to cooperate in the above
mentioned work of organization and 10 re-
strain the Impotence of their comrades WHO
are anxious for active measures before such
measures have been sufficiently prepared or
have been decided upon by the union. The
question of a general strike and other
measures of an important character VIII
be discussed In the near future.
Meanwhile all over Russia there Is q
feeling of unrest, and another revolution
NAV break out almost any day. This feel
ing of suppressed Indignation Is demonstrate
ed by the case of Mile. Spiridonovna who
killed councillor of Tamtbof province. Al
her trial she told a terrible tale of her
sufferings. Having pleaded guilty, she de-
scrbed the brutal way in which she was
beaten by the very men who should nave
protected her. A prison doctor deposed that
her whole body was beaten black and blue,
oil hn q
nothing her hearing was also damageo
and she spat blood. Even now one eye -
still injured the deafness is not wholly
cured. and signs OF tuberculosis are unmis-
taxable Mile Spiridonova frankly de-
clares that she killed her victim in execus
ton of sentence passed by the reyoiutione
airy committee because he brutaly naH
treated the peasants.