The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-03-16
RUSSIAN EMPEROR
OvtRTAROWN BY
REVOLUTION
Nicholas tbdiCates and Younger
Brother Becomes Regent
TROOPS JOIN OPPOSITION
Duma Declares Government Is Over
thrown and New Cabinet is
Appointed.

! The emperor OF Russia mas abdl-
Gated aud Grand Duke Michael Alex
androvitth, his younger brother, has
been named as regent. The Russian
ministry charged with corruption and
incompetence, has been swept out of
office.
One minister, Alexander Protopo-
poff, head OF the interior department,
is reported to have been killed, and
the other ministers, as well as the
president OF the imperial council. are
under arrest.
A new national cabinet is announc-
ed, with Prince Lvoff as president of
the council and premier, and the 9th
er Offices held by the men who are
close to the Russian people.
For several days Petrograd has been
the scene of one of the most remark
able risings in history. Beginning
with minor food riots and labor
strikes, the cry for food reached the
hearts Of the soldiers, and one by one
regiments rebelled. until finally those
troops which had for time stood 10y
al TO the government gathered up
their arms and marched into the
ranks of the revolutionists.
The president of the Duma, Mi
chael " Rodzianko, was the leading
figure among the deputies. who unani-
mCusly decided to oppose the imperial
order for a dissolution of the House.
They continued their sessions and NJ
Rodzianko informed the emperor.
then at the front, that the hour had
struck when the will of the people
must prevail Even the imperial
council realized the gravity of the
situation, and added its appeal to
that of the Duma that the emperor
should take steps to give the people
policy and government in accord
ance with their desires. and in order
that there should be no interference
with carrying on the war to a victori
Gus ending
The emperor hastened back from
the front only to find that the revolu-
tion had been successful. and that a
new government was in control The
empress. who, ii is alleged. has been
influential in the councils opposed to
the wishes of the people. is reported
to have fled or to be in hiding.
Although considerable fighting took
place. ii is not believed that the cas-
ualities are large.
Events leading up to the revolution
began week ago with street demon
strations OF workingmen in Pertograd
who quit work as protest against
the shortage of bread. The first two
days mounted patrols kept the crowds
moving without resorting to violence.
When ordered to fire on the people
they refused. Police were substituted
and a battle occurred between them
and the troops. Regiment after regi-
ment joined the revolters and seized
arsenals and other strategic points.
Until Saturday night there was no
intimation that the affair would grow
to the proportions of a revolution.
From then until Tuesday morning al
most continuous fighting in the
streets and throughout the city oc-
Cured, leaving the revolutionists in
full control The latter are proceed
ing to recognize the government.
Yesterday the city emerged from
weeks nightmare of revolution and
figuratively smiled under a brilliant
food of sunshine following the series
of gray days ending with a snow
storm Wednesday evening.
The only visible signs of the des-
perate clash of authority which turn
ed the city into a battle ground were
the charred ruins of the Jail. which
are still pouring cloud of smoke sky
ward, and here and there the remains
of other police institutions and the
homes of the few individuals who
were regarded as offenders against
the rights of the people.
After 36 hours of continuous street
fighting, the whole area of Petrograd
was Oh Tuesday noon in the hands
of the revolutionists. Regiments call
ed out to disperse street crowds which
were clamoring for bread refused to
fire upon the people but mutinied.
Staying their officers in many cases,
and joined the swelling ranks of the
insurgents
The government was declared to be
overthrown by the Duma leaders, who
met in the Maveritchisky palace after
the regular session had been adjourn
ed by imperial ukase. and in a tele-
gram to the emperor the popular rep
resentatives declared that special
committee composed of the leaders
of the various parties in the Duma,
would submit a list of names for the
new cabinet simultaneously 1t was
reported that all the ministers ex-
cept NJ. Protopopoff had resigned.
The Duma was dissolved by i'm
nor;al ordar nffantivn March II the