The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-17
Starvation and Open Anarchy
Threaten Slav Nation.
Conference for Coalition Ends
in a Deadlock.
RAIL STRIKE MEANS HUNGER
Food Riots and LOOting Al
ready Reported in Moscow.
Today Last Day of Truce De-
cIared by Rail Employees.

Petrograd, Nov. 16 (Delayed(.-
Bloody fighting was succeeded by ne
gotiation for a compromise govern
ment today. Premier Kerensky' S
whereabouts are unknown.
Negotiations are in progress be-
tween the Maximalists and the mod
crate Socialist leaders. Three days
ago the plan for coalition was
preached. The Bolsheviki or Maxi
malists have SO far produced a dead
lock i'm the situation by demanding
the most liberal representation of all
political factions in the ministry OF
the proposed government.
Petrograd and it's environs were
generally quiet today, after sanguin-
airy fighting of recent days. The most
desperate battles were fought around
Gatchina and Tsarkoe-Selo. There
Kerensky massed three Cossack regi-
ments and a large force of armored
cars. For three days his provisional
government troops fought with vary
ing success against the Bolsheviki
Tsarkoe-Selo changed hands three
times The Cossacks. better disci-
plined and armed than the Bolshe-
Wiki, managed at first to overcome the
disadvantage of smaller numbers
Their recklessly brave charges re-
peatedly recovered positions.
OVerWheIm Cossacks.
Finally, however, the Trotsy-Le-
nine ministry massed an overWhelm-
ingly superior number of soldiers and
the Cossacks were broken up. They
had to surrender.
The gravest menace to Petrograd's
future today was the threatened strike
of railway employees. Their truce ends
Saturday.
Already torn by internal strife, a
complete tieup of rail lines, making
impossible the dispatch of food to this
city, would probably cause acute dis
tress. Already food prices are out OF
reach of ordinary citizens.
Kerensky Lost 1900 Men.
One report received today declared
that in fighting by which the Bolshe-
Wiki red guard" captured Alexan-
drovka. Kerensky's forces lost 1.5OC
men, all Cossacks, and the Maximalist
casualties number 200.
The Trotsky-Lenine government has
instituted the eight hour day in all
Industries and abolished all night work
except that of national defense. A
moratorium on house rent was an
nounced as in effect today, unless an
agreement is reached on the railway
strike.
Criminal Outbreak in Moscow.
Petrograd, Friday, Nov. 16.-The
damage done TO the Kremlin in Mos
COW is minimized in MESA ges received
here from the Maximalist delegates in
the old Russian capital who say that
only the Alexander palace has Suf-
fered. They confirm the burning OF
several houses in Moscow from other
sources. 1t is reported the Bolshevik
have planted heavy artillery on Spar
row Hill and on the famous Khodir
field from which they are Smelling
the kremlin. Other reports indicate
| a truce has been arranged between
the Bolsheviki troops and the govern
ment troops.
A third armed force is said to have
developed in Moscow the identity OF
| which is not known. 1t is said to be
| fighting against both the Bo1shevik
and the government troops and i.
supposed to be composed of the
criminal elements released from Jail
The Khodin field is the scene o.
| the massacre at the time of the coro
nation of Emperor Nicholas.