The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-05-31
TEN LANGUAGES USED IN TELL
ING CAUCASUS OF NEW
RUSSIAN REGIME.
6 SPEECHES At ONCE
Crowd at Tiflis Too Vast for One Voice
To Be Heard by AIl-Every Element
OF MultiRaeial Population Repre-
Sented.

lullS, CAUCASUS May 10y 1ldlll.-
The Russian revolution came 10 the
Caucasus several days after it had won
at Petrograd. and the new order was
put into effect without hitch and with
great enthusiasm. The new govern
ment was ratified by one Of the most
picturesque public gatherings that has
been held anywhere in the Russian
empire
The peoples, not only OF Tiflis, but
Of all neighboring districts, were in
vited to attend this huge ratification
meeting. For several hours before the
hour set for the meeting, the bridge
over the Kura and the streets lead
ing 10 the assembly square were filled
with incoming delegates. serious and
silent. impressed with the importance
OF their mission.
II was the largest mass meeting OF
Caucasian peoples that has ever been
held. In the great square six plat
forms were raised and the crowd was
simultaneously addressed from all six
platforms, the area being too large to
enable any speakers voice TO carry
across the entire crowd.
Many Races in Crowd
The crowd included every element IN
the multLracial population Of this part
Of Russia. There were wild mountain
tribes, Lesgians. Avars. Chechens and
Swanetians in long black cloaks and
sheepskin caps. Their homes lie in the
recesses Of the Caucasus range. Sunk in
partriarchal feudalism, many OF them
did not know. until the war brought
them in touch with the outside world
whether they were subjects Of the en-
peror Of Russia or the Sultan Of
Turkey.
Hundreds Of the picturesque white
skinned peasants OF the province Of
Georgia were also there. The Georgians
are politically the most advanced %
any Of the races in the Caucasus. hav-
ing in the last twenty years developed
every form Of western political
thought. Then there were Armenian
merchants, the Tartar peasants OF the
East Caucasus. men from the railway
works and the oil fields at Baku, and
the student element was prominent.
The platforms were occupied by So
cial Democratic leaders. who hereto
fore had been compelled TO hold their
meetings In secret. They called upon
the people 10 preserve the public order.
While they were speaking, regiment
OF the Tiflis garrison. headed by their
colonel, marched into the square. I'VE
have come" said the colonel. ito put
he
mand OF the provisional government.
Long live great RUSSIA
Soldier Follows Colonel.
The soldier orator took the colonels
place on the platform. Let us not
forget" he said, that over yonder in
Germany we have brothers, too. crushed
under that same tyranny from which
we have now, thank God, been dellv-
cred. May God grant that the hour
Of their deliverance may also soon
strike"
In an automobile drove up the chief
OF staff Of the Caucasus army. who
mounted the platform and read a mes
sage from Grand Duke Nicholas. In
which the latter stated that he realized
Aut Niu AtbAut AAI1l So hAN nrhNA AAN
people to preserve quiet and keep the
army free from political strife.
Among the distinguished" guests
who visited the various platforms were
twenty political prisoners who had been
in the dungeons OF Tiflis prison since
1906. when they were implicated in a
local attempt at revolution. There were
women speakers, too. representatives
Of the Women's Educational League.
There were speeches IN ten dlf.
ferent languages. including Russian.
Georgian, Armenian, Tartar, and six
mountain dialects.
A band played the Marseillaise at
frequent intervals, the troops present
ing arms. the peasants doffing their
hats, and many voices Joining in the
chorus OF the great French revolution.
airy hymn. After four hours the meet.
ing quietly dispersed.