The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1917-03-22
PEOPLE, DUMA AND THE ARMY
CRUSH GOVERNMENT FORM
ING NEW CABINET TO RE-
PLACE PRO.GERMANS.
CZAR'S YOUNGER BROTHER
IS CHOSEN AS REGENT
Ministry, Charged With Corruption
and lncompetency, Swept Out of
Office-Not Many Killed Though
Considerable Fighting Marked
Revolution.

NSu
Revolution.
Petrograd, March 1.-THE Emperor
of Russia has abdicate6 and Grand
Duke Michael AleXandrovitch, his
younger brother, has been named as
regent.
The Russian ministry, charged with
corruption and incompetence, has been
swept out Of office. One Of the minis
ters, Alexander ProtopOpoff, head OF
the Interior department, is reported
to have been killed and the other min
listers as we'll as the president Of the
Imperial council are under arrest.
A new National cabinet is an
nounced, with Prince LvOff as Presi-
dent of the council and premier and
the other offices held by the men who
are close to the Russian people.
Starts With Food Riots.
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 the regi-
ments rebelled until finally those
troops that had for time been loyal
to the government, took up their arms
and marched into the ranks of the
revolutionists.
The President Of the Duma, Michael
v. Rodzianko, was the leading figure
among the deputies who unanimously
decided to oppose the imperial order
for dissolution of the house. They
continued their session and M. Rod
zianko informed the Emperor, then at
the front, that the hour had struck
when the will of the people must pre-
vail.
End Was Foreseen.
Even the Imperial council realized
the gravity of the situation and added
it's appeal to that of the Duma that
the Emperor should take steps to give
the people policy and government in
accordance with their desires and in
order that there should be no inter-
ference in carrying on the war to
victorious ending.
The Emperor fastened back from
the front only to find that the revolu-
ton had been successful and that
new government was in control.
The empress, who, it is alleged, has
been influential in the councils, OPP
posed to the wishes of the people. is
reported to have fled or to be in hid
ing.
Not Many Killed.
Although considerable fighting took
place, it is not believed that the cas-
ualties are large The early period
OF the uprising bore the character
rather of mock revolution staged
for an immense audience. Cossacks
charging down the street did so in
half-hearted fashion, plainly without
malice or intent to harm the crowds
that they playfully DISPERSED The
troops exchanged good-natured rail
1ery with the workingmen and women
and as they rode were cheered by
the populace.
Long lines of soldiers stationed in
dramatic attitudes across Nevsky
Prospect, with their guns pointed at
an imaginary foe, appeared to be TAX
ing part in realistic tableau Ma
chine guns firing rounds of blank car
tridges seemed to add another reali-
site touch to tremendous theatric
production, which was using the whole
city as a stage.
Becomes Genuine.
Until Sunday night this pageant con-
tfnued without serious interruption.
Then in a flash the whole scene lost
its theatric quality, It became a gen
uine revolution.
The regiment had received an or
der from the commandant to fire up
on persons assembled in the street.
This caused immediate dissension
among the troops who did not under
stand why they should be compelled
to take violent measures against fell
low citizens. whose chief offense was
that they were hungry. and were ask
ing the government to supply bread.
Several regiments deserted and a
pitched battle began between the
troops who stood with the govern
,ment and those who, refusing to obey
orders, had mutinied.
A long battle occurred between the
mutinous regiments and the police, The
police finally fed to roof tops all over
the city and were seen no more in
the streets during the fighting.
Turning Point Comes.
Then came a period when it was
impossible to distinguish one side
from the other. The turning point ap-
peared to come about 8 o'clock in
the afternoon. For two hours the op-
posing regiments passively confront
ed each other along the wide L.teiEy