AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1370, 3 February 1905, Page 2

AFFAIRS IN RUSSIA.

NIHILISTS CONFERRING IN ENGLAND. By, Electric Telagrapli—Per Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, February 1. Detectives arc watching a number of Nihilists who have just arrived in England. If is siippoSed to he their intention to hold a Congress in London. Two Russian Nihilists known as bomb-makers have disappeared from Paris.

ST. PETERSBURG, Feb, 1. 'Prince Mirsky's resignation' has been accepted. fu. de Witte has declared that the instant he heard orders given to fire on the 22nd, he ordered pacific measures to he taken. S_ The senior officer replied that ,hh was unable to guarantee the security of the palace without force. He (M. do Witte) made strong personal representations to the Czar, blaming army, church, aiijl Govern mont for striking the aggrieved workmen without giving tfi&fh a hearing, thus committing an inexplicable crime. Strike disorders are spreading in the industrial districts outside Moscow, though the city is quietening.

A GRAND DUKE INTERVIEWED, By Electric Telegraph—Per Press Association—Copyright. Received 9.27 p.m., Feb- 2. ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 2, Tho Gzar, Czarina, and Dowager Empress have given General Trepolt 50,000 roubles to assist tho families of the killed and wounded in the recent rioting. The Granfd Duke Vladimir assured

an American correspondent that if the miob of tho 22nid had been allowed to reach the Winter Palace they, (would have sacked, it, and the city he delivered over to anarchy, bloodshed and flames. The Government only did their duty. It was absurd to ■assert that Gorky would he hanged. He declares the disorders at Warsaw, K-ieff, and elsewhere were industrial, not revolutionary. If a constitution were granted, anarchy would result, followed by desintegrartion of the Empire. The autocracy would grant necessary reforms, to the peasantry by given means for presenting their needs and grievances direct to the Sovereign. St. Petersburg manufacturers are meeting strikers in a conciliatory spirit,, offering assistance Ho ithe needy, and not to punish the leaders. They agree that demands should be submitted to the Minister of Finance, with a view to legislation, hut promise no practical concessions. The strike is extending to Irkutsk.

It is reported that, four thousand employed on the Krasnayarsk station of the Siberian railway have struck.

CZAR ADDRESSES THE WORKMEN. DISTURBANCES CAUSED BY TRAITORS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 10.39 p.m., Feb 2. St. Petersburg, Feb 2. Tho Czar summoned to tho Summer Palace 34 workmen, representing the largest St. Petersburg factories,and directed them to communicate his words to their comrades. “The late lamentable incidents,with the deptorablo but inevitable consequences,and all tho disorder occurred because the workers were deceived by traitors - and enemies of the Fatherland. “When they urged you to address a petition to me in regard to your needs they induced you to revolt against me and the Government, forcing you to abandon honest toil.

“ Now is the time when all true Russians should labor unceasingly and help to conquer Our obstinate enemy. “ Strikers and revolutionary demonstrations always lead a crowd to commit disorders, which always oblige tho authorities to employ troops, causing much sufferings to innocent people.” Received 11.9 p.m., Feb 2.

The Czar, addressing representatives of the strike, said : “ I know a workman’s life is not easy. Many things require organisation «od improvement, but have patience. .You must be just to your masters, and consider the conditions of their industries. To come to me as a rebel mob to declare your wanes is a crime. I will take measures and see that everything possible is done to improve the workmen’s lot, and to secure examination of their demands through legal channels. lam convinced of the honest sentiments of the workmen and their devotion to myself. I pardon their transgression. Return to your comrades and carry out your allotted tasks, and may God assist you.” After dining the workmen’s deputation drank the Czar’s health with oheers.

STRIKE RIOTS.

SERIOUS CONFLICT WITH POLICE By, Electric Telegraph"—Per Press Association—Copyright. Received 11.56 p.m., Feb 2. St. Petersburg, Feb 2. Strikes oocurred at Czentochan, Samara, Fabianioe and Ploek. In a conflict at Pultusk between strikers and police 18 were killed and 28 wounded. Strikers at Zgierz beat eight policemen to death.

Strikers at Lodz, Pabianice and Zgierz organised a plot to sack and burn the Czar’s palace at Ikierniewice. Tho troops were warned and prevented it, the different columns junctioning. A hundred strikers were wounded.