The Benson signal., 1917-03-24


Panic-stricken, the government or
dered the mounted patrols to fire on
the people. The patrols refused. and
Il battle between the police and the
troops followed, regiment after regi-
ment joining the revolutionists, Selling
arsenals, burning prisons and jails
arsenals, burning prisons and jails
and throwing the heads of the secret
police into prison.
For three days open battle ragged in
the streets of Petrograd. Strikes in
factories and on street cars were
called in sympathy with the revolu-
ton.
Wednesday. the weeks nightmare of
revolution ended more suddenly than
it, had begun. Planks were pulled
from windows, doors were unbarred,
factories, stores and banks reOpened.
The only evidence that a revolution
had been fought and won was the
smoldering ruins of a few public
buildings. The cost in life is unknown.
1t is believed, however, that it did not
exceed 500.
Magical and sudden as was the
transition from the old to the new, it
is believed here that it's results will be
almost Immediately visible in the in
stitutiOn by the new Russia of a more
vigorous and efficient prosecution Of
the war against Germany.
The duma telegraphed the principal
generals at the front to use their infu-
ence with Emperor Nicholas in sup
port Of the dumas appeal for a popu-
lar government, says Reuters Petro-
grad correspondent.
General Brussiloff, commander in
chief of the armies on the southwest
ern front, replied:
"YOur telegram received. I have
fulfilled my duty to my emperor and
my country
Gen. Nicholas V. Ruzsky, member Of
the supreme military council, replied:
''I have carried out your request"
M. Rodzianko, president of the
duma, sent the following telegram to
Emperor Nicholas:
"The situation is becoming worse.
Measures must be taken Immediately,
for tomorrow it may be too late. The
hour has arrived when the fate Of the
country and of the dynasty is being
decided"
M. Chtchegiovitoff, president of the
council of empire, was arrested in his
home and temporarily held in the min
isterial room Of the duma.
A telegram received by the naval
attache Of the Russian embassy in
Paris reported that the railways and
public services in Petrograd had re-
Sumed work.
The revolution, which evidently was
carefully prepared, broke out stimuli
taneous.y in Petrograd and Moscow.
The garrisons, which obeyed the in
structions of the revolutionaries, i'm
mediately took possession of these
cities after comparatively little fight
ing and equally small amount of de-
struction of property.
Petrograd Bridge Blown Up.
In Petrograd one bridge was blown
up. Strict military rule prevails and
the army has the situation SO we'll in
hand that it is not expected adherents
of the late government will be able to
offer any serious resistance, even in
remote provinces.
After receiving word of the revOlu-
tion, it is reported, Emperor Nicholas
vxyhn hn
rived on Wednesday.
The following details of the revolu-
ton have been given to the press from
a source usually we'll informed on
Russian affairs:
"The soldiers refused to act against
the crowd which started trouble when
it heard of the ukase issued by EN-
peror Nicholas proroguing the duma.
On Sunday the committee which had
met to discuss the food situation was
partly transformed into a provisional
government under the presidency Of
President ROdziankO of the duma and
included representatives of the duma
council of the empire and of the
municipality. The garrison agreed to
support the provisional government"
Papers Fail to Appear.
Newspapers, with the exception of
revolutionary publications which
sprang into life with the success of
the revolt, had failed to appear.
Street car service at noon had not
been resumed, but it was believed that
night would see partial service.
The government was declared to be
overthrown by the duma leaders, who
met in the Maveritchisky palace after
the regular session had been adjourned
by imperial ukase, and in a telegram
to the emperor the popular represent
atives declared that special commit
fee, composed of the leaders Of the
various parties in the duma, would
submit a list of names for the new
cabinet.
The imperial palace at Tsarskoe-
Selo is said to be in state of siege,
but thus far no fire has been report
ed between the guards defending the
nalace and the reVOlutiOniStS and