New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-07
The Kronstadt Commune
M. Phillips Price, in The Manchester Guardian

tried by a commission sent from Fetfosioa'
Revolutionary ideas have always eeeh
strong in the Russian navy, and the grea'
naval fortress in the Battle has peeA the
centre of the force which the Cars govern
ment created to crush them out, ALMOST
every sailor in Kronstsdt has st one time o,
another been in these government prisons ahu
been dashed with the kneut, Several OF them'
that met that afternoon told me no" 'hey
had been sent TO Siberia for life and mao
escaped from there in order to come DaeA "
Kronstsdt, in spite Of the terrors OF the place
and carry on revolutionary propaganda tnste'
They were always treated like dogs ihey
were not allowed TO walk in the oouleVafas o,
go into any public places OF amusement sha
for the smallest offence they were beaten oh
the first day Of the revolution they went 10
the admirars house, dragged him OUT sho'
him and tried TO burn the body. II was
law of blood and iron that ruled in kronstsa''
and I fear during the first days OF the reVo-
luton the sailors gave back what had peeh
given to them.
Anarchists in Possession
That evening was taken 60 the house OF
Admiral Veren, who had been murdered as
describe. | found the anarchists in posses
sion. In the sumptuous halls where once
councils of war were held by medalled of'eers
now saw unkempt, long-hared revolutionary
students and sailors. | was introduced TO
their leader, veteran fighter, who had taken
a prominent part in the mutiny OF the Potem-
kin on the Black Sea in 1906. ! expected TO
find the most desperate characters among
this lot, but I confess that they turned cut
very harmless. Their revolutionary ideas did
not go beyond the speedy application OF Marx
ism and the class war, while the anarchists
found to be peaceful Tolstoyans, who would
refuse to shed blood on principle. As it was
already late, they invited me TO supper and TO
sleep the night.
Next day | was taken to visit the battle
ships and training ships In the harbor' nrst
went to the naval staff. The commander OF
the feet found was now young lieutenant
He received me very cordially, called me
"Comrade," and took me to his cabin to luhch,
which consisted Of the same food as that
eaten by the sailors. He wore no epaulets
on his uniform, he was not saluted by the
sailors, and when they spoke to him they
called him "Comrade." All the officers OF the
feet in Kronstadt are now elected by the
crews of the ships on which they serve, and
the Council of Sailors Delegates elects the
officer commanding the fleet. My first ques-
ton was how did this new principle of elect
ing officers affect the work and efficiency OF
the feet The chief of staff, although him
self an old sailor and not accustomed to this
new way OF doing things, said that on the
whole he thought it worked well. At first
there was some difficulty. The sailors elected
officers just because they liked them and not
because they knew their job. But after a
while, he added the men got TO know who
were efficient as we'll as those who were nice
to their men.
On the following day 7 was taken to see
some of the factories where war material is
made and ships are repaired. ! found all the
men working busily and the rumors of dsor-
ganization prevalent in Petrograd quite un-
rounded. All the private works and shops are
put under the control of the Council and the
profits divided with the workers. Most Of the
private owners, however, left after the revo-
luton, so that now the works are run by the
committees of the men. An eight-hour day
is compulsory throughout the island, with
three hours overtime for special and urgent
work. Trade unions are being formed among
the different grades Of artisans. / came
across a meeting being held by the Union of
Strikers in the ship-repairing yards. The men
were discussing a plan Of mutual insurance
against unemployment and sickness