Russia Unsettled

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Dec 13, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 50.

Russia.—The latest news on the great Russian question is that matters are still as unsettled as ever. In the battle at Sebastopol between the mutinous sailors and the loyal army nearly five thousand were killed or seriously wounded, and damage to the extent of $5,000,000 is reported. Disaffection, it is said, is rapidly extending to the army, even to the regiments near the person of the czar. Bodies of troops especially selected by Gen. Trepoff to guard the czar and his family, are among the disaffected ones. There has been no open sedition among them, but many have been arrested for sentiments which they have uttered. Poor Russia is reaping the seeds of her sowing, and yet it would seem as tho her people ought at least to give the new plan presented by the czar a fair trial. It is reported that the Zemstvo Congress recognized the Socialistic organizations as the strongest, and that has given many wavering elements cause to join the Socialists, altho these openly proclaim that the capitalists will be abolished as soon as the government is displaced. A large merchant declared to a St. Petersburg correspondent that he pays fifty dollars weekly to the strike leaders, who give him a permanent guard of workmen. Count DeWitte is also losing confidence as it daily grows more evident that he has not the necessary power from the czar. The correspondent declared in a few days a crisis must decide whether the autocracy will be resurrected, while the Socialists hope to spread a general strike all over Russia, except in Poland. Moscow is reported to be burning, and the czar wounded in a personal combat with Duke Vladimir. Up to midnight of December 2 all Russia, except Warsaw, was cut off from all telegraphic communication with the rest of the world. The situation grows hourly worse. Events can not be stayed, and new bloodshed is unavoidable, since both the reactionists and Socialists alike wish it. Just what the end will be is problematical.