Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-10

sands Of peasants adrift to look for work
and food. They offered their services for
any wage. some for board and lodging
only. Many Of them found their way to
the Lena district, where they were en-
ployed. 1t Is said, at low rates. But they
were unable to save anything for their
families or themselves. Hence dissatis-
faction among them became general.
Strike Breaks Out.
At last a strike broke out The time
chosen was when the roads were broken
and no troops could be requisitioned. A
list Of grievances and claims for higher
,, wages and shorter hours were drawn up
by the workmen and presented to their
employers. To the miners claims the
employers returned a non possumus. At
length the employers appealed to the gen.
darmerie. who proceeded to arrest the
strike committee. against the advice of
the companys representatives.
After the arrest of the strike committee
the men seemed like bees bereft Of their
queen. All at once they marched on
the prison to rescue their leaders. The
authorities. peremptorily called upon to
hand them the keys. returned a firm re-
fusal. Hncensed, the angry mass moved
forward. determined to have their way.
The 300 troops were ordered out. Slowly
the strikers moved up to them. until the
officer in command. startled by the
y
disarmed. gave the word to fire. When
the clicks of the rifles had seased. the
bodies of 400 wounded. dead and dying
dying lay upon the ground.
Duma Espouses Cause.
The duma warmly espoused the cause
of the workmen. Censorious questions
were put to the government. to which the
| ministers of the interior and commerce
replied at once. The minister Of the
interior expressed deep regret for what
had occurred. but felt unable to blame
the military Soldiers have to act. not
to weigh reasons.
They only did their duty-a very
painful duty. he added-but so impera-
tive that the same cause would always
produce the like effect. That formula
position and turned into an election
cry. Almost every city of European
and Asiatic Russia FASTENED to record
Its sympathy with the Lena victims.
Meetings. PROFESSIONS. church services,
revolutionary songs and sympathetic
strikes" are among the forms taken
by these improvised manifestations.
None OF those phenomena Is likely to
prove disastrous either in itself or in
its immediate consequences. A new
revolution is Impossible today by rea-
son of the loyalty Of the troops. the
faith which political Russia once cher
ished in socialistic doctrines and the
beneficial action Of the duma as a
safety-valve. Nobody Graves martyr
dom in the cause of electoral reform or
imagines that the death Of any one
man will usher in a millennium for
Russia.
Il Power for Evil.
But IL lively faith is dead. greed Of
gold is living. And II is not only
would-be millionatres who are DOS
sessed by II. Among the lowest orders
it is a tremendous power for evil
Slight temptation. mere belief in i'm
punity. Is almost enough to nerve men
to plumber manor houses In the coun-
try. where there are no troops. and
render the maintenance of order there
difficult and costly.
For everybody is now cringing before
the workingman. Government, duma.
press and politicians are on their
knees to him. Whatever he does is
well done. His very crimes are but
peccadilloes. Herein lies the real sig
nificance Of the Lena tragedy. Strikes
and displays Of popular enthusiasm.
which have been unknown since the
revolution" have revived. The next
phase may be insecurity Of life and
property in the provinces. 1t has not
yet been reached. and one hopes that
| IL will never be reached.
II Is believed that the political con
dition of the empire during the next
! twelve months depends on the state OF