INTERNAL RUSSIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1917, Page 2

INTERNAL RUSSIA.

Cause-of the Trouble

(Received March 17, at 9.10 a.m,) London, March 16

The Central News Petrograd correspondent says M. Rodgianko stands out as the man responsible for the maintenance of order.

If the news came as a surprise to the rest of the world, the cause is the over rigorous censorship.

The country has been restless for months, owing to the rise of food prices, although ihe wages of workmen in Russia had doubled and trebled. The area of discontentment wideued and the winter also was excessively severe. Fuel and other necessaries were only obtainable at famine prices. On top of these misfortunes came the shortage of bread, not due to lack of supplies, but owing to the absence of fixed prices for flour. Villagers and peasants were only receiving pre-war rates for their products.

Etnifsaries acting in the interest of Germans warned the peasants that it was necessary to hold back sup-

plies. This action resulted in very little corn reaching the market. Meanwhile their was a growing disaffeclion because men, unknown to the people, and not trusted by them, were being placed at the head of various departments of the State.

A month ago a number of men visited the ammunition works at Petrograd, and professing to speak on behalf of Milmkoff, a popular leader of the cadet party, urged the workmen to strike, as a protest against the’continuance of the war. The emissaries distributed arms among the workers.

There would have been industrial disorders a month ago, but Miliukoff himself cx 4 ..a.J the scandal. The storm burst on Friday, when the people appeared in the streets shouting—“We want bread.”

There was little or to disorder. Thß demonstrations on Saturday assumed a more serious aspects and fighting commenced in the wot king class district between po’ : ce workmen. The military weie request-d to quail th 3 dial urbiuoes and refused to act. Later they openly took sides with the people. Red flags appeared among the troops themselves. There was occasional lootiog. Sunday was another exciting day and shooting was general. The police w. re driven from the streets, after suffariug heavy losses from rffies and machine guns of the military. Monday was a day of many surprises. The Czar anrgmuceJ the closing of the Duma and the Council cf State v Petrograd was ablaze with excitement and the d io.s of Krcsey Prison were thrown open to political prisoner*, including twelve workmen’s delegates recently arrested, were released and the prison burnt. The arsenal fell after a short, though fierce resistance before the assault of the revolted troops. The Imperial Winter Palace and State Departments were se'zsd. Meanwhile the.streets, such as Nevsky Prospect, Gorokbiivaya, and Wosaescenoky Prospect were dangerous owing to the fire of riflaa and michice guns.

The streets nevertheless were full of people, in holiday attire, openly sympathetic. Soldiers in armoured motor cars appeared and everywhere it was evident someone with a keen organising brain was directing the movemen*. Men and women openly sympathised with the revolution. The Duma continued sitting, as it was necessary to ociutrol the populace" and give it guidance.