Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-08-01

Helsingfors, July 31.-.A gigantic mil
itary conspiracy for the capture ps
RusSiaS three great seaports, Cron-
stadt, SabastopOl and Sveaborg, ar
ranged by the Revolutionary League.
was prematurely sprung here last
night by the attempt to arrest members
OF 4 company of sappcrs, who had mu-
timed on account of the death of one
of their comrades, alleged to have been
due to ill treatment.
The entire garrison fot he fortress
at Svcaborg llamed out instantly in re-
volt. All the artillerymcn and sappers
garrisoning the place were involved.
Only four companies of infantrymen re
manned loyal. The mutineers seized 40
machine guns, and practically all the
quick firers and light artillery in the
fortress. but even with this aid, they
were unable to hold the main fort
against the loyal infantry.
The fighting continued all night long.
Tho heaviest firing was heard from IL
o'clock in the evening till l in the
morning. This morning Il detachment
of lcivilian revolutionists sliced the
marine barracks at Skattudden Island,
hoisted the red flag, and were joined
by all the marines.
Nine cruisers, torpedo boats. ana
destroyers lying in the harbor opened
fire on the barracks. This fire was
answered from the third story windows
of the barracks with machine guns and
rifles. The torpedo boats and the de-
stroycrs, which We're lying CLOSER to
the shore, were subjected to such hot
fire from the barracks. that their crews
were driven below decks. They finally
steamed out, and joined in the bonn
bardment with the cruisers. This sea
attack was in cooperation with attacks
by Cossocks and infantry from the land
side. which began at O'Clock in the
morning. and continued through the
whole day.
Finally. towards evening. the firing
ceased and the authorities announced
that the barracks had been captured.
At O'Clock in the afternoon the Cos
sacks cleared the square in front of
the palace facing SvcahorS, and then
drove the public from the entire water
front for the purpose of preventing tho
sending of assistance from the city to
svtabcrg.
The exact situation at Svcaborg is
not known. Firing can no longer he
heard. RumOrs are in circulation that
the entire fortress has now fallen into
the hands of the insurgents. but they
lack confirmation. 1t is believed that
the cessation Of fighting is but a pre-
Iudc to the renewal of the battle be-
tween the mutinccrs and the govern
ment troops. An authoritative estimate
of the killed and wounded cannot he
obtained, but the causalty list on both
sides must be heavy. for the figh ting
was waged with desperation.
There are various rumOrS to be heard
regarding the fate of officers who were
at Sveaborg and the Skatudden bar
racks. According to one rumor, al
most ali the officers. and. according to
another, almost all the Junior officers
aided with the mutInecrs. The ma
rines at Skatudden are said to have
convened an elective court martial.
which condemned several officers to
instant execution.
The wives and families of the officers
on duty in the fortress were sent ashore
by General Laiming and no. molested
by the Revolutionists.
The Red Guards, whose leaders were
cognizant of the plot. despatched an
expedition by a special train as soon as
the revolt broke out to cut the rail-
road track outside of the city in order
to prevent the arrival of reinforce
ments A general strike was declared
this afternoon and was Obeycd by the
workmcn of all the factories.