New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-16
Thousands Flock to Parlia-
ment Building to Join
Civilian Forces
Rebels Cheer for
British Attache
Colonel Engelhard, a Deputy,
Is Placed in Command
at Petrograd

Petrograd, March 15.-The scene al
the Duma before the revolution was IN
full fame was extraordinary. The mem
bers stood about the broad corridors
talking calmly, the serious priest men,
bers in long black gowns, with How
ing hair, and members from the prov
inces in top boots and blouses mingling
with well groomed and frock-coated
representatives.
At the front gates the troops began
to assemble. They were without arms.
They were revolving regiments. One
body, in marching order, entered the
side gate and halted before the en-
trance. A Duma member spoke from
the steps, explaining the attitude OF
that body and assuring the regiments
that the Duma was with them.
Army of Civilian Soldiers
Auto trucks, packed with men, SOL
diers and civilians, with and without
arms, rolled up the circular drive and
stopped before the door while some
occupant delivered lurid GRAFTON, and
then went on. cheered by the crowds.
Then came a small army of civilian
soldiers, factory workers, clerks, stu
dents armed with rites taken from the
captured arsensls, their pale faces and
black winter clothing forming strange
picture against the snow piled high IN
the Duma garden.
For an hour they stood in more or
less military formation before the
building and at dusk marched away
toward the centre of the city, followed
by the revolving soldiers. The crowd
was extremely orderly.
A group of a dozen soldiers pushed
into the corridor OF the building ana
demanded to be allowed TO address the
members. A mild hammered young
civilian of the student type took them
in hand with a little difficulty and lea
them into the open.
A delegation asked for food. I'm
mediately walters from the Duma res
.taurant were sent out with trays OF tea
and food until the place was Cleaned
out.
Cheer Brltfsn Attdche.
There was a characteristic seem
when the mutinous soldiers occupied
the arsenal The British military AT
tache was found there and was cheered
by the soldiers, who gave him guar
Of honor to see him safely TO the EN-
bassy building Crowds also gathered
around the British Embassy ano
cheered heartily.
The members of the Imperial Coun
Gil sent a message to Emperor NichC
las outlining conditions and recon
mending a change in the interior pc.
lev in accordance with the declsio
of the Duma and the dismissal o
the present Cabinet and advising II
reorganization in accordance with the
desires of the people and their rep
resentatives. The message bore twelY
signatures.
The newly organized revolutionar}
army, whose numbers are growins
hourly, is under command of Colone
Englehard, of the General Staff, who
is also member OF the Duma. One
after another various detachments ap
peared at the Duma. some with their
standards and officers. As fast as
they reported they were formed into
battalions and assigned to posts. The
president of the Imperial Council. J.
G.. Chtchegl ovitof, was arrested and
placed under guard in the Duma build
ing.
The student bodies were appealed to
by the new government committee to