The Washington times., 1917-03-16
Strikes at Russia Munitions
Factories Followed by Raids
On Food Shops.
MASSACRE ORDER IGNORED
Troops Join Popular Uprising
and Organized Rebels Quick
Iy Overthrow Autocracy.

The chronology OF Russia's transition
from autocracy to Democracy follows:
March NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of
bread caused unrest among working
men. Strikes declared at various NUM-
tiops factories. First Of a series of
raids by hungry people on food shops.
March 9 (Friday)-Petrograd streets
were under guard of mounted police.
There were several minor outbreaks
when hungry people broke into bread
stores and were dispersed by the police,
The police and some of the troops from
the Petrograd garrison were visibly
half-hearted in their suppression Of the
disorders. In many cases blank cart
ridges were fired on the mobs. now
steadily increasing. Cavalry regiments
were cheered by the people, who readily
obeyed their orders to clear the streets.
Massacre Is Ordered.
March 10 (Saturday)-The crowds in
creased. Government officials finally
became alarmed and ordered troops to
fire into the solid masses Of people in
Nevsky Prospect The troops there
were drawn up with machine guns.
They fatty refused to carry out this
massacre. Officials promptly replaced
them with the police. who fired several
volleys. The first general clash of the
populace and the government forces fol-
lowed. The car ordered the Dunno dis
solved and it was apparent he had de-
termined on reversion to stern repres-
sion again.
~ March IL (Sunday)-Widespre
clashes continued all of Saturday
night and Sunday. These eliminated
in the first big break in the govern
ment's forces. A Russian regiment
of the Petrograd garrison revolted
when their officers demanded they
open fire on the hungry people. An
other Joined later. Four more came
over late at night. These forces COM
bined and took the strong fortress of
st. Peter and st. Paul, after a brief
battle. Their success led to other
wholesale mutines of troops, with
bloody scenes as the troops killed
their officers or overwhelmed the
small number that still remained
loyal to the Car. Then the troops
marched in force against the police,
and defeated them in a bloody street
fight This was the first day of or
ganized revolt.
Thousands Desert CEar.
March II (Monday)-Street fighting
continued undated, but in the after
noon the tide of battle turned for the
revolutionists. Then. with dramatic
swiftness one of the government
regiments opposing the regiments
fighting for the people suddenly left
its place in barricades and Joined
the revolution Desertion swept the
whole line. Thousands Joined. With
in an hour nearly all of 'Petrograd
fell into the hands of the revoiu-
tionists.
Immediately the Duma met, al
though it had been ordered dissolved
by the Car. Manifestos were issued;
the Gar was apprised that the people
would rule. The imperial ministry
resigned. A new cabinet was named
by the revoIutionists. This was really
the second day of the revolution, as a
revolution with organized control by
those seeking overthrow Of the old
regime At night the troops, now re-
organized, made vigorous assault on
the few government buildings still
held by the Cars officials. 1t was
the most bitter of all the fighting Of
, the revolution.
March IL (Tuesday)-Early in the
morning of the third day of organ
ized revolt, the remnant of the gov
eminent forces and officials surren-
dered. The ministers resigned. Presi-
dent Rodzianko and the Duma sent q
final appeal to the Gar, demanding
immediate reform measures: The
revolutionists then assumed full OOn-
troll of the governmental machinery.