The Washington herald., 1907-03-31

Bucharest. Roumania, March 5o.-Cour-
iers tonight are speeding everywhere
throughout Roumania arousing tile peas
ants and working people in the towns and
cities to resist the troops, which are max
ing such fierce attacks on the rioters in
the disturbed districts Every village
and hamlet has its organization directed
BY the anarchists who have started the
uprising. ana all are working to one end
10 inhame the people to an open revolt
against the government and the troops
which represent 1t.
While at first it appeared that the au-
thorities were getting the upper hand,
through the vigorous Tepressive policy
adopted, it is now apparent that the gov
ernment has overdone itself. The brutal
ity of the troops has acted as a counter
irritant Women and children have been
shot down as ruthlessly as have the men
who opposed the soldiers. The troops
seemed carried away by desire to kill.
Now the peasants are aetuated by a
similar desire-whetted by an Unsuitable
appetite for blood and a longing for re-
yenge Everywhere. preparations for
active warfare against the government
troops are going on.
Peasants who have been driven from
their home towns By the bombardment
Of the artillerymen are gathering in
camps where they are receiving such
military training as can be given them.
In many cases the men have brought
arms with- them.
Situation Grows More Critical.
Every hour the situation is becoming
more critical in view of the detstmined
resolve of the peasants to assert them
selves and secure rights they believe are
theirs. There are many indications that
the disturbance has passed the stage of
a mere uprising against the landlords to
that Of an actual revolution. It may be
weeks before thel government can put
down the movement, if it ever does.
To-day's developments show that the
activity of the troops has passed to the
point Of butchery. The worst feature Of
this is that it came at time when the
backbone of rebellion seemed broken. Il
is this which has so aroused the people.
Women and Children Butehered.
Messages from a score Of towns which
were bombarded brought the same tale Of
how women and children had been killed,
fighting side by side with their Husbands,
brothers. and sweethearts. against the
troops.
At Caneschti there was a virtual massa-
ere. An outbreak there called the troops
10 the town. By the time they arrived
the ringleaders had disappeared. Hun
dreds of peasants threw themselves on
their knees as the soldiers fell into Lire,
begging for their lives. Unmoved by their
prayers, the commander made deliberate
preparations TO fire on the helpless crea-
lures. Then the women, many OF them
with children tugging AT their skirts,
rushed TO the front TO shield the men.
When the smoke from the volley cleared,
there were scores of women and children
mingled with the dead. All who had es-
capped death or wounds rose and fed in
panie.
Peasants RetaIfate with Massacre.
The peasants secured revenge for this
foul act at Ghimpatzi. When a squadron
of hUssaTs arrived there the rioters met
them with cheers. This deceived the COM
Tnander and he ordered the troops TO dis
mount When their arms had been
stacked the peasants fell on the soldiers
and n7assacred half of them
Instances similar to these have been re-
ported from scores Of towns. They show
the whole country is embroiIed. A dozen
towns have been wiped out by the bonn
bardments, but this terrible punishment
has only melted greater disorders. Mem
bers Of a secret revolutionary organization
composed Of priests are directing the rev
olutionary movement. and they are over
looking no opportunities to foment dis