Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1918-03-07
That Trucu1ent Russian Revolution

aid. And at 8 o'clock the desperate stug-
gle began.
The city was in darkness, the night
force of the railway company also having
palace was Illuminated by arc lights from
Its private system. Perhaps the glare OF
the lights interferred with the sighting
eyes Of the IN on the cruisers which
were attacking the building. For 1t -
said not a shell struck the structure. As
far as the water forces and the attackers
in the fortress OF st. Peter and st. Paul
are concerned they may be counted out
right now. They seem to have furnished
only the noise for the battle.
The actual fighting went on around the
wood piles in the plaza Of the palace.
Since the Romanoffs have been away the
fire logs ave been stacked in front OF
the dwelling, in order that the members
of the provisional government would ap-
pear just as democratic as the rest OF tho
citizens. So round and about and over
the top Of the piles scrambled the loyal
defenders of the government, chased by
the revolutionists. Whether the women's
battalion took part in this climbing con-
test Is disputed. Some cablegrams say
that along about $50 o'clock in the after
noon they went to their homes to get sup
per ready, and failed to return. Other
messages contend that they stayed in tho
palace until they got sleepy before going
home. The affair seems to ave been a
spanking bee. between the Bolsheviki and
the schoolboys. Doubtless. several heads
were bumped in lodging around the stacks
Of wood, but not one drop of blood was
shed all reports agree. TIL boys became
tired first and quit, leaving the Bolsheviki
in undtsputed possession Of the lumber. A
little varnish and paint will restore the
palace to its former condition.
A new government was set up the next
> oNr1f~p {v,1 ~ {ha 113oF ~ooS,,Iara Ini,n
a day laborer and a common sailor. The
unique administrative body, which should
be enlarged to include a fisherman, as
minister OF fisheries, now proposes that
the practical world engage in a joint de-
bate to settle all the troubles of the uni
verse.
1t Is an amusing situation from begin
ming to end. But a damper choke off
ones mirth when the consequences Of this
Robespierean drama of grown children
are considered. With the news from
Petrograd comes word from Berlin that
the new German chancellor has an
nounced hat the German radicals, who
are about as radical as the most conserya-
tive Of Russian conservatives, are not to
be given the vice CHARACTERISTIC, and that
a military dictatorship will be established
If they Insist on having the office. 1t the
same time it is reported 1t mas been de-
clded to annex Poland to Austria-Hun-
gary and Courland and Lithuanla to Ger
many.
On November 2, Washington estimated
that there were LAT divisions Of enemy
troops - Germans, A%ustrians, Bulgarians
and Turks-from 100000 to 100000 men
on the eastern front. These VIII now be
released to face our boys and the other
soldiers Of tho allies, at least the major
ity Of them. II the supine government in
Petrograd prevails. :
So we find the members of the new Rus
sian republic planning a dream world Of
the brotherhood of man, while the demo-
cratic nations with whom they ought to
be fighting, are in a death struggle with
the greatest menace to democracy in the
worlds history. They are hslping that
organized system Of military autocracy.
The irony in the humor of the Russian
comedy leaves a taste in ones mouth that
suggests Nightmares.