The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1917-03-23

revolutionists, without pre-arranged
plan, without leadership or organiza-
ton, could in such a short time with
comparative ease achieve complete
victory over the government. But the
explanation lay in the reluctance of
| the troops to take sides against the
people and their prompt desertion to
the ranks Of those who opposed the
| government.
Streets Are Deserted.
| The scenes in the streets were by
| this time remarkable. The wide thor
oughfares where the troops were sta
toned were completely deserted by
civilians except for a few daring in
dividuals, who, creeping along walls
and ducking into courtyards, sped
from one side to the other.
| But the side streets were choked
with people. Groups Of students, cas-
lily distinguished by their blue caps
and dark uniforms, fell into step with
rough units of rebel soldiers and were
| Joined by other heterogeneous elements
united for the time being by cause
|
Unkempt workmen, with ragged
sheepskin coats covering the conven-
tional peasants costume of dark blouse
| and top boots, strobe side by side with
well-groomed city clerks and shopkeep-
ers.
This strange army of people, mus
tered on the street corners, shouldered
their newly acquired rifles and
marched out to join the ranks Of the
deserving regiments.
| Put Up Last Stand.
At nightfall only one small district
of the city, containing the war office,
the admiralty buildings, st. 1saac's
cathedral, and the Military hotel, still
resisted the onslaught of the revolu-
tionary forces, and the battle for the
possession of Petrograd came to dra-
matte conclusion.
| In the admiralty building the council
Of ministers secretly assembled for a
conference and the last regiments loyal
/ to the old government were drawn up
as a guard.
While the council sat in the last
meeting that they were destined to
hold the building was surrounded and
the besiegers poured rifle and machine
gun fire upon the defenders.
For few hours the fiercest battle
of the day continued; the streets were
swept by a steady fusillade, and the
crowds scattered for the nearest shell
ter, some of the people being COM
PEELED to spend the night in courtyards
or corridors of office buildings or wher-
ever they first found refuge.
Last of Troops Surrender.
Toward morning there was sudden
lul1, broken by exultant shouts, Whlcn
deepened into roar and was sue
ceeded by the Russian revolutionary
''Marseillaise." The regiments defend
ing the admiralty had surrendered
and gone over to the side of the revo-
lutionists.
The ministers in the admiralty
building were then arrested and the
Russian national colors were re-
placed by the red flag of the revolu-
tionists.
Although sporadic fighting continued
between small groups until Wednesday,
the "cause of the people" had trl-
umphed.
It was on Sunday, March IL, that
the duma was dissolved by imperial
order, the ukase reading as follows:
"The sittings of the duma are adj
journed owing to extraordinary cir
cumstances until further notice. They
will be resumed not later than April"
On Monday the ukase was read to
the duma in regular session. On al
journment the duma leaders, presided
over by President Rodzianko, de-
clared the government overthrOwn, and
that a special committee, composed of
the leaders of the various parties in
the duma would submit list of names
for the new cabinet.
Resume of Developments.
On Tuesday revolutionary bulletins
appeared in the streets with the sim
pie caption, News" containing re
sumo of the developments. They were
eagerly read by all classes. Rodzian-
kos kilograms to the emperor and 9TH
ers to the commanders of the
troops at the front were reproduced.
The first message to the emperor was
as follows:
"The situation is grave. Anarchy
reigns in the capital. The government
is paralyzed. The transport of provi-
sions and fuel is completely disorgan-
lied. General dissatisfaction is grow
ing. Irregular rifle firing is occurring
in the streets. 1t is necessary to
charge Immediately some person trust
ed by the people to form new gov
eminent. 1t is impossible to linger,
since delay means death. Praying God
that the responsibility in this hour
will not fall upon a crowned head"
kronstadt Joins Revolt.
London, March 16-Telegraphing
from Petrograd Wednesday, Reuters
correspondent says Kronstadt, the