Russia’s Trouble.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 9, 24 January 1905, Page 3

Russia’s Trouble.

THE STRIKERS FIRED ON. MANY KILLED. THE LEADER ARRESTED. St. Petersburg, January 22. Gapon, with eleven union representatives, forwarded a letter to Prince Sriatopolk-Mirski exhorting the Czar to come to the Square in front of the Winter Palace courageously, and guaranteeing the inviolability of his person. Otherwise the moral bond hitherto existing between the Czar and his people may be broken. The cavalry are concentrating at St. Petersburg forming an extended cordon to prevent the demonstrators approaching the Palace. Fifty men are acting as a bodyguard to prevent Gapon's arrest. Four hundred of Gapon’s picked men have sworn to guard the Czar in case he consents to confer with the strike leaders. The Metropolitan Antonins' anathematised Gapon for inciting the people in a time of trouble. There are persistent rumors that the soldiery have resolved to refuse to fire in the event of disorder, but later the cavalry and strikers had numerous bloody encounters. The Square was invaded and ball cartridge used in expellihg the dense mob. Many women and children were killed. Gapon was wounded and arrested. Five sleighs removed the injured from Troitski bridge. The people have erected barricades and entanglements in the streets, and are arming. The Czar is at Tarksoe Selo Palace. Hundreds of the strikers were killed and wounded in the encounters with the military. Thirty guineas per cent, have been paid to Lloyds’ to insure the Czar’s life for a year. January 23. The infantry threw down their rifles and fraternised with the workers on approaching from Vasile Island, but the Uhlans and Cossacks, charging with swords, wounded many of the crowd. A severe encounter took place with the Putiloff strikers in the centre of the city, eight being killed and wounded with ball cartridges. There were 150 casualties in the Palace Square. As the crowd was retreating along Nevaki Prospect, the troops volleyed thrice, killing 30 and wounding many. The populace is infuriated and is vowing vengeance.