The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-01-20
F0LLOWERS0F
LENINE, BEATEN,
QUIT ASSEMBLY
Red Guard Fires on Crowd
in Petrograd on First
Day of Convention.
BOLSHEvIKI SEE CRISIS
Radicals Probably Ready to
Make Greatest Effort for
Supreme Control.
BOLsHEvIKI SEE CRISIS

Constituent Assembly in Petrograd yes
tsrday was marked by the defeat OF the
Holshcvlki on the first test vote and
their withdrawal from the meeting. while
In the streets near the American I'm.
bsssy q crowd was fired upon by the
TED Guards, who killed i've persons and
wounded dozen. Tho main thorough
fares were under heavy patrols OF Boil
shevik troops. Most OF the shops wcrc
closed, shutters and bars being UP.
The collision between Rplsheviki and
-.,e'nbers Of tho Society for the Defence
Of tho Constituent Assembly. who were
marching toward tho Tauride Palace. oc-
cured bout noon. according to Petro-
grad despatch TO Reuters. Banners and
f'igs demanding that the Assembly be
called were pulled down and torn.
Machine gun and rife FIRE suddenly
irone out from oil sides. ~. LoEvinoff,
member OF the executive committee Of
th- Congress Of Workmens' and Sol
dicrs' Delegates. and several others were
kii!cd. Among the wounded were sew
e.l women.
the Bolshevikis next step probably
VII be an attempt to assert their s,i-
creme control OF affairs. They may dis
so.,e :he Assembly forcibly or reorgsn-
ise /. 10 give themselves the mastery.
Delayed Fosr Hours.
The Taurids Palace. in which the
delegates to the Assembly began to as
xcmble early in tho morning. was under
q very heavy guard. Difficulties In
registration and party dNsensions de-
layed the opening Of the Assembly,
which had been set for noon, for four
hourA when 1t met President Sverdloff
Of the central executive committee of
the Congress of workmen's and Soldiers
Delegates. presided.
A proposal to have the oldest dele
gate. who was a Social Revolutionist
preside was howled down. NJ Sverdlof
read a declaration from the Congress OF
workmen's and Soldiers Delegates de-
mandink that the Constituent Assembly
approve Bolshevik laws concerning peace
and land. This was applauded loudly
by the Bolshevik delegates ana hooted by
the Right and the Socialists Delegates
belonging to The Constitutions! Demo
cratic party we're absent from the open
ing session.
On the arst test Of strength the Bol'
sheviki were defeated by the Socia
Rcyolutionists. NJ. Tchernof, Minister
~ Agriculture in the kerensky Govern
ment and the nominee Of the Socia
Revolutionists of the Right for chairman
OF the Assembly, was elected by vot'
If 244 to 151. The candidate Of tn
a prominent revolutionist, who was re
leased from exile In Siberia after tn
overthrow Of the Romanoffs.
Half Hour Recess Voted.
The Bolsheviki were defeated agail
when they demanded that the question
u the authority Of the Workmen's an
Soldiers Government be- considered firsl
The vote on this question was 237 to 14e
The Bolsheviki then asked for tw
hours recess in order that party con
ference might be held to consider fur
ther action. The other members Of tn
Assembly decided to continue withou
the Bolsheviki, and decrees relating t
the peace and land questions were take
up, about . dozen members speaking.
Scores of sailors and Red Guards too
positions at the entrances OF the build
ing and In the galleries, from which Is
sued all kinds OF hoots and comment
During one OF the speeches on the Ian
question a Social Revolutionary memhe
sitting back Of NJ Tseretelli, Ex-Mini,
ter Of the Interior and a member Of th
Council of Workmen's and Soldier
Deputies. leaped toward him, at tn
same time drawing revolver. Otht
members disarmed the man. but theI
was a panic in which general rue
was made for the exits.
Tchernof said that the Constituent Al
eembly should Immediately call col
ference of all the Entente Allies to col
sder war aims.
The Constituent Assembly. accordir
20 proclamation issued by the revol
tionary Government last March, W
issue fundamental laws guaranteeing u
country the immutable rights OF equa
ity and liberty" Failure to issue q ca
for elections to the Assembly was one
the causes contributing to the dOwnfs
Of the Eerensky Government. The BE
shevik Government issued a call for ele
.ion soon after the success of the reve
of last November. The elections We
completed early in December.
An attempt TO open the Assembly W
made on December II. but no progre
was made The results of the electio
wers ufifavorable to the Bolshev
element. the Social Revolutionists.
which party former Premier Kerensl
is a member, gaining the greatest nuI
ber of delegates. A number of Constit
tionsi Democratic delegates to the
sembIy were arrested early In Decemh
by the Bolsheviki. who have been !
Dorted 10 be using various measures
gain control Of the Assembly. even goi
ss far a. to cah special elections 10 !
place opponents Of their idea.