The Washington herald., 1907-06-16

St Petersburg. June 1G (6 a. mD-Tho
Douma has been dissolved. The official
announcement has just been made, al
though the decision was reached by the
council Of ministers NJ O'Clock. RUmors
that a ukase of dissolution had been
signed by the Gar were aflout about The
city early IN the morning. but they could
not he confirmed.
Accompanying the notice of dissolution
came an order from Gen. Drachensld.
prefect Of police, restoring the censorship
Of the press in more rigorous form than
it has existed since the days Of the Black
Reaction. Warning was served on every
paper that any publication inimical TO
the government will be considered a mis-
demeanor punishable by a fine Of Sl500
and Imprisonment for three months.
Fears for terrible uprisings throughout
Russia are expressed as a result of the
dissolution. The storm has been gather
ing ever since Premier Stolypiu made his
demand on the Douma for the expulsion
Of the Social Democratic deputies Ii is
feared it will break with all the fury of
the stored-up wrath of the Russian peo-
pie. held down for months since the last
revolts We're crushed.
Strikes Expected.
Strikes in all lines of industry. espe-
cially on the railroads. are expected to
be the answer Of the revolutonists to
the ministers.
The ukase Of dissolution is direct slap
at popular rights The Douma had not
refused the demand Of the premier for the
expulsion Of the deputies. committee
was considering the indictments against
the accused deputies at the moment
Nicholas affixed his signature to the
uKase. Stolypins demand is. therefore.
shown 10 have been a mere excuse to
order the dissolution Of Parliament. That
this action places the government in a
bad light cannot be denied. even by sup
porters Of the Car and his ministers.
StoIypin Relies on Soldiers.
Soldiers are relied upon by Stolypin to
defeas =" wrath Of the people 81
Petersburg is like an armed camp so
closely are the troops packed in the city
In every city Of size throughout the
empire soldiers are also gathering 10
quel popular outblrsts
But it is feared that even these pre-
cautious--will mot save The government.
The soldiers may prevent the overthrow
of the ministry and the Car
The temper of the people is bad
Premier Stolypln's ultimatum to the
Douma TO do his bidding or be dissolved
aroused every revolutionary IN the city.
The revolutionary organizations have not
overlooked the opportunity TO arouse sen
timent against the government. The
half-formed plans for uprsings at a IA
vorabIe opportunity have been hurriedly
completed. The time has arrived. leaders
believe, TO strike the great blow against
absolutism militarism. and the Car
Reds Refuse 10 wait.
Stolypin is confident when the people
have heard his charges against the So
cial Democrats they will uphold the gov
ernment. The rev0lutionists do not pro-
pose 90 wait until Stolypln has got TO the
people They are straining every effort
20 organize such an uprising that the
government viii be swept off its feet
That the people generally fear a bloody
is shown by the preparations made to
protect their property. Heavy wooden
and iron shutters protect the windows OF
residences and business houses alike
Few shops are open.
The preparations Of the government for
eventualities have been far from reas-
suring to the timid. Through the night
the rumbIng Of artillery wagons and the
Clanking Of the chains on the great can
non and machine guns being drawn @
advantageous positions to guard the city
sent thrills of terror to many hearts
Those same sounds were heard before
that dreadful Red Sunday" in January
1906
Throughout the empire the situation is
even more alarming. The revolutionary
propaganda has been actively pushed
Hundreds Of armed men are ready tc
start Uprisings Warsaw. Moscow
Odessa, always storm centers, are on the
verge Of revolt