The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, March 16, 1917, Page 1

‘me THE BISMARC THIRTY-SEVENTH YEAR, NO. 64 GOVERNMENT MA Popular Governme UNITED PRESS ALMOST BLOODLESS REVOLT DEPOSES RULER AND SETS UP REGENCY IN EMP DUKE NICHOLAS (DOL Michael Named to Succeed Emp- peror Until Heir to Throne Reaches Majority DUMA TAKES LEAD IN POLITICAL UPHEAVAL Civil Forces Co-Operating in: Movement and Armies on Front Are Jubilant (Associated Press) Grand Duke Nicholas, idol of the Russian army, and ranked as Russia's master stragetist, looms up as the big military figure of the hour in the empire, which has just witnessed a successful and almost bloodless revo lution and the abdication of its em- | peror, | The relinquishment of the throne by Nicholas II automatically deprives him of his rank as commander-in: chief of the Russian armies. The heir to the throne is an infant and Grand Duke Michael, named as regent, while a soldier of repute, isnot of com- manding military experience. Returns to Capital. Thus thé nation, the Petrograd dis- patches indicate, is. turning to its most tried and trusted military lead- er. Grand Duke Nicholas is reported to have arrived at the capital and the probability is pointed to that he will soon take command of the troops, Of the complete success of the revolu- tionary movement, in which»the lead was taken by the Duma, there seems no doubt**While there-have been few advices fB68ivéed Hs'to ‘the attitude of the armies at the front, such news as has been received indicates: that the military, ‘Waitlbnthe ‘excepljnn of re- actionarieg; ga the, ,.officers, to- gether wikh gli the, popujar forces of the empi badking thé “hew’ gov- ernment. ia : . Co-operating With Duma. The civil forces of the nation are co-operating with the government most heartily in restoring normality in the life of the empire. The duma, which is the chief fa tor in shaping the course of the n regime, and the zemspzo council are reported co-operating successfully inj straightening out the various tangles which have resulted from the momen- tous change in governmental control. The food problem is being attacked, and the people themselves seem to be exercising their own authority to re- press any element of the population that might be inclined to indulge in excesses. The measure of general political amnesty is reported in course of pre- paration by the new Russian minister of justice. Grand: Duke Nicholas is said to have endorsed this move as one necessary to save the empire and bring the war to a successful con- clusion. CZARINA IS HELD BY REVOLUTIONISTS ; TWENTY KILLED (United Press) London, March 16.—The Russian czar is at Tskoff and the empress is at the imperial palace at Psarko Selo, according to the latest information re- ceived from Petrograd up to noon to- day.. The czarina was reported de- tained by the revolutionists. TWENTY KILLED, Stockholm, Sweden, March 16.— ‘Twenty were killed in Monday's Pet- rograd fighting and 120 were’ wound- ed, according to information received from the Russian capital by the news- paper Extra Bladt today.. The dis- patch said: “On Tuesday the mob destroyed several bakeries, whereupon the gov- ernment opened provisional ones. Rail- way lines were blown up at several points. When Miniseer Colatzin and the old government ordered troops to report to Petrograd a week ago to suppress the riots, these troops flatly refused to respond.” MAKES ANNOUNCEMENT. London, March 16.—Chancellor of the Exchequer A. Bonar Law today told the house of commons that the British government would require fur- ther information before it could for- ward a message to the new Russian government assuring the provisional -leaders of England's sympathy. GENERAL AMNESTY, Petrograd, March 16.—Minister of Justice Kerensky of the new provi- sional government, today decided up- on a general amnesty to the politi- cal offenders. “The establishment of a mew power capable of achieving a victory will in- crease the popular enthusiasm and IRE « NICHOLAS I!, DEPOSED RULER. PEOPLE BROCK NO OPPOSITION TO FULL CONTROL Arrest Russian Officials Who Have Slightest Taint of Being in Sympathy With Germany EXECUTION OF FORMER WAR MINISTER ASKED NOT CONFIRMED, (United Press Stockholm, Sweden, March 16. The assassination of former Pre- mier Sturmer and Minister of the Interior Protopopff by the Russian revolutionists has not yet been officially confirmed, according to Petrograd advices to newspapers here. (United Press.) Petrograd, March 16.—Fifteen as- semblies of the Russian nobility. met today and adopted resolutions declar- jing their participation in the popular revolution. The resolutions vigorously assailed the officials, which resulted in the overthrow of the Czar. The pop- ular and = fully sympathetic people brooked no opposition to their control. Baron Stokelberg fired upon a group of Soldiers, from his window today. His house was immediately stotmed. DRAGGED INTO STREET. The Baron dragged out into the street and carried to the side of the quay where he was executed. Count Frederick, the aged minister of the Imperial household and aide d’camp to the emperor, was discovered in hiding. His life was spared but he was sent to prison to join the many other notables of the old regime. Meanwhile his house Was completely wrecked. Coun- tess Clein Michael, long suspected as a German spy, was discovered in hiding! at the Chinese legation. Soldiers im- mediately took her into custody. ARREST WAR MINISTER. No more a dramatic incident oc- curred during the last few days than the arrest of Former Minister of War General Sukhomlinoff, a group of sol- muitiply the national forces of the diers and hastily armed people immed- soldiers NORMAL LES RESTORED SOON AFTER REVOLT People Take Matters Into Own Hands to Get Relief From Intolerable Conditions HANDLING OF FOOD SUPPLIES HASTENED MOVE People Stood Three or Four Hours With Temperature Below Zero for Bread London, March 16.—One of the most remarkable features of the Rus- sian revolution, says Reuter’s Petro- ‘grad correspondent, has been the speed with which the people have re- sumed normal life, Order is the watchword of the day. The corres- pondent continues: “Still more remarkable, looking back over the events of the past few days, is the way in which the same spirit of good order prevails through the hours when the revolt was at its height. Unorganized crowds of re- volters seemed to take pride in ‘do- ing things regularly.’ Commandeered Motor Cars. “For instance, in all sections of the city, the crowds commandeerea all motor cars on the streets, but in every case took the names of the oc- cupants and promised to report the names and circumstances to the duma committee and facilitate the return of the car. — / “In view of the populace, the revo- lution was: practically bloodless, Cer- tainly, there has been some loss of life, but it is insignificant in popular estimation as compared with the tre- mendous result obtained. For some weeks past everybody in Petrograd re- alized that a crisis of some kind was approaching. People Aroused. “The temper even of the most pa- tient people in the world becomes | frayed when they are obliged to stand three or four hours in a temperature 10 or 20 below zero waiting for bread which often is not obtained. Potatoes had risen to eight or nine times their ordinary price, and other food com- modities were at a cost practically prohibitive to the poor, new minister of agriculture, M. Rit- tich, were not calculated either to re- the present hunger or the anx- ‘or the future.” PEOPLE SQUIRM. it in the arrival , as though a. orm in Russia in February were snow 3 an unparralled phenomenon, The peo- ple in the streets were not the only one who squirmed under this sort of ex- planation, The Duma leaders, as well, regarded the situation as inexcusable and President Radzianko finally felt justified in going to the length of of- ering whole-hearted exertion in put- ting into effect special emeregucy meas- ures for increasing the food supply. PRKOTAPOPOFF DETESTED. “Minister of the Interior Protopopoft was absent from Saturday’s confer- ence on the food question. Proto- popoff is a wealthy manufacturer and a courrier with a reputation for de- benair duplicity. Residing in the ‘Tsarskoe-Selo palace. he was reported lately as spending a large part of his time indulging in spiritualistic trances. Equally detested by the parliamentar- ians and the people he never appeared in the Duma since his ministerial ap- pointment. “With such administration of agricul- ture and the interior and with the vre- micr 2 nonentity, it was not. surpris- ing that the food prospects were re- garded by the members of the Duma with the greatest alarm and even dis- may. While the Duma leaders were dis ple in the streets were getting more and more yoluble in their protests against the whole situation.” Tiherale, at HelmInNew Slav Regime (Associated Press) ry Petrograd, March 16.—The old re-, gime of conservatives has been sup- planted ‘by a government of liberals. M. Kerenski, the new minister of jus- tice, is a Socialist. He accepted the portfolio on the stipulation that there should be absolute freedom of speech and of the press, and full political amnesty. The cabinet has been chos- en exclusively from present and past members of the,duma. It was named ‘by the executive committee of the duma in connection with other depu- ties and representatives of the work- ingmen and the soldiers, which held an all-night session. Prof. Paul Milukoff, the new foreign de-| Duke. Michael. Te- mands,” he BISMAROK, NORTH DAKOTA, RUN RA t for Sla PRESIDENT WAY ALL HEADS AND BROTHERHOOD TAKE HAND AND | READY FOR SECOND CONFERENCE AVOID STAN Two Factions in Cabinet Disagree Ws (G_ Lee, Head of Employes, Says ussing the food situation the peo- | di minister, informed the Associated Press that the new regime was deter- mined upon the elimination of Emper- or Nicholas and the regency of Grand » change these de- “We shall not zo! FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1917. PRESIDENT CALLS ) CABINET MEETING (Associated Press) Washington, March 16.—Word was received by the national con- ference committee. of the rail- way brotherhood ‘this afternoon that President Wilson had called a cabinet meeting to get advice on the question of running the railroads on the basis of military necessity. The cabinet has decided to save Secretaries. Lane, Wilson and Daniels and; Willard and Samuel Gompers, members of the committee of’ national defense confer at once with ‘the brother- hood chiefs and managers. Ac- tion is expected by the president and advisors to avert a strike... Both sides will be urged to reach a settlement on the ground of patriotism. They ‘will be urged to postpone, if ‘not avert the strike, 5 a BOTH SIDES READY FOR OVERTURES (Associated Press.) New York,’ March 16.—No sur- face indications show any move of either side to prevent the strike. Both groups are in sep- arate conference, Each is appar. ently ready for overtures, but is waiting for the. other to make move. Both are eager to hear the result of the Washington cab- inet meeting. The managers said reports from the various parts of the country indicated an organ- ized withdrawal from the brother- hood agreement to strike. War Deparment Makes Suggestion Washington, March 16—The war department’ today indicated that the governme:t plans to take over the railrodad. “ihe de partment is preparing a state- ment following the cabinet meet- ing. Military Control Is Only Solution Vicksburg, Miss. March 16.— 1 suggest that Wilson put the roads under military control, Vice President Parks of the Illinois Central said here today.. “This is the only solution to the prob- lem.” POPULAR RECIME 1S PLANNED BY “REVOLUTIONSTS Formalities Leading to Abdication of Czar Have Not Taken Place ABSOLUTE MONARCHY TO BECOME A DEMOCRACY (United Press) London, March ié.—Czar Nicholas’ abdication of the throne of Russia has not yet been effected Chancellor of.the Exchequer A. Bonar Law an- nounced in the house of commons to- lay. . Chancellor Law read a telegram re- ceived from the British ambassador at Petrograd. It stated that while the abdication and the appointment of Grand Duke Michael as regent was decided upon by the executive com- mittee of the duma, such steps had not yet been effected. The telegram added: Whereabouts Unknown, “The czar’s whereabouts are not known.” A government to be based on uni- versal suffrage and an equal voice of the people in its administration has succeeded the regime under Czar Nicholas. The executive session of the duma today began the work of transforming one of the most abso- lute monarchies into one of the most modern democracies. It would first linstitute public orders throughout the country prior to the holding of gen- eral elections. These will give the people an opportunity to register their choice of officials and the form of government for them to adminis- ter, Order Restored. Order is suffering from an hysteri- val attack. The Czarveitch is also reported ill. The price of provisions kept up by the grafting of the offi- cials of the old government are de- creasing today. Stores have been opened in various parts of the city. The new government undtr the exe- sails eel Le duma. is _gradu- ily ling 5 are meeting in various places and pledg- ing support to the new order. as to Attitude of Adminis. tration SOME SUGGEST LETTING EMPLOYEc SETTLE MATTER Others Insist President Has Pow- and Prevent Strike ‘(Associated Press.) Washington, March 16.—President Wilson is expected to make his first move to prevent the threatened rail- road strike after today’s cabinet meet- ing. The president had canceled ular meeting when he got reports from the conferences in New York and then ‘ne suddenly summoned the members for this afternoon. A general impression prevails in of- ficial circles that the president, be- fore going further, will appeal to both railroads and men not to plunge the country into a railway strike at this critical juncture in international af- fairs, a reg: Not Disclosed. Further than that the president's purposes have not been openly dis- closed. It is known that one element in the cabinet regarded as favoring the labor side of the controversy is pressing to let tho situation come to a strike if the railroads do not yield, on the assumption that the strike will we succsthiul, 5 % ‘Another element, regarding a strike at this time as a national calamity, almost an unpatriotic act, is pressing for vigorous action to prevent it. Urge Government Control. Some of the president's advisors hold the view that he has full con- stitutional authority to take the rail- roads and draft officials and men to operate them, on the ground of a na- tional emergency. Some of the president's advisers pointed out today that while he favor- ed the contentions of the men, in the controversy last fall, that was purely a matter between the men and the The situation now, they say, rns the government vita! in such a situation the pre regards the government's interest as overshadowing all others. WILSON AS BUFFER: (United Press.) Washington, March 16.—President Wilson today stands as the only buf- fer between the people of the United ‘States and the great railway strike. Representatives of the Big Four broth- erhoods declared unless the railways consent to the eight-hour law by 6:00 p. m. tomorrow, the strike that would It in a nation-wide tie-up will be set into motion tomorrow evening. Embargoes on Freight. Drastic embargoes have been plac- ed on freight. Ticket offices through- out the country have been swarmd with people seeking to return to their homes before the tie-up is put into effect. From the managers came the word that W. J. Lee’s request that the whole matter be settled by the federal eight hour commission ap- pointed by the president had met with disapproval, Lee charged disloyalty among several of the managers. (COLOMBIA SETTLEMENT IS WITHDRAWN FOR ENTIRELY NEW TREATY (Associated Press.) Washington, March 16.—The treaty with Colombia to pay $25,000,060 for the partition of. Panama was with- drawn from the senate today on mo- tion of Chairman Stone of the foreign relations committe and will not be acted on at the present special sen- ate session. Mr. Stone's action was taken to foreshadow further diplomatic nego- tiations with Colombia for a new treaty which would not be received with such strong objections, nd ef- forts to frame a more acceptable treaty is expected before the congress which convenes in special session April 16 has adjourned. LARGE COAL COMPANY ORGANIZED TO HANDLE FUEL AND MAKE COKE The Dakota Black Coal company. capitalized at $100,000, and organized for the purpose of mining coal, oper- ating coke ovens, railroads and other necessary appurtenances, was issued a charter by the secretary of state yes- terday. The incorporators are Frank B. Feetham and Lawrence R. Feetham ‘of Grand Forks, John R. Johnson of East Grand Forks and A. C. Rhine- hart of Hazard, K TRIBUNE ASSOCIATED PRESS ILR —6= —o— _.xscsi ion Home Edition | © Empire —0— SLIGHT CHANCE FOR AGREEMENT That He Looks for at Least One in Twelve of Trainmen to Be Loyal to Walkout Orders Effective Tomorrow Evening. er to Take Over Railroads /BQTH SIDES EXPECTED PRESIDENT TO TAKE A HAND IN SETTLEMENT, DISSENTERS IN RANKS. (Associated Press Chicago, March 16.—Persistent reports of dissention in the ranks of the hundreds of local brotherhood chair- men attending the executive meeting here today to ratify the strike order, were circulated in the corridors of the Masonic temple, where the meeting was held.. ‘Timothy Shea, assistant president of the firemen and other high off. cials, denied them. Representatives of the Kansas City locals, the most powerful west of St. Louis, were said to have instructions to oppose the srike. Denver was said to have similar in- structions. Some of the chairmen were said to insist that the brotherhood chiefs now in New York have no right to call a strike on the basis of the vote taken last summer. The passage of the Adamson law, its course in the courts, and international situation were said to have changed the as- pect of the situation to such an extent that the sentiment of last summer could hardly was, be expected to remain as it (Assocjated Press) New York, March 16.—Both sides in the threatened railroad strike con- | troversy expressed willingness today to hold further joint. conferences, al- though the’ situation this) merning was devoid of any. suggestion that acem- promise would berreached, which. would avert a nation-wide transportation WAITING FOR WILSON. Indications were unofficially, that. both the railroad managers and‘ the brotherhood chiefs were marking time pending any possible action by Pres- ident Wilson and with each group prepared to respond to overtures fi SRNCH TOWNS WOULD SUFFER FROM STRIKE Because of Agreement With Its Employes Soo Would Be On- ly Line to Operate BISMARCK FACES HARD AND SOFT COAL FAMINE Bismarck—capital city of the state —has enough commodity _ provisions | in store to tide the city over from three to four months should the threatened nation-wide strike of rail- road employes of the “Big Four” be; called. The walk-out would — strike points east of Chicago tomorrow and hit the West carly next week. Because of the late spring and the irregular passenger and freight ser-, vice over the branch lines of the Great Northern and the \Northern Paci conditions would become grave. The, severe winter has drained the coal supply in the different branch towns and crippled service, during which time some of the towns have been; snowbound from 30 to 40 days, has re- sulted in the stock of provisions run- ning low. Soo Towns Not Affected. Towns and cities along the branch lines of the Soo will not suffer from the pending strike. Last fall when} the vote was taken on the strike, the Soo Line entered into a working agreement with its employes, which since then has proved satisfactory. The Soo pulled out of the conference and has since been paying its men on a much improved mileage basis. It was stated at the headquarters of the Soo here this afternoon that not a word has come to the offices in Bis- marck regarding the strike or any sympathetic move on the part of the ‘Soo trainmen. ‘With trains tied up over the main and the branch lines of the Northern Pacific, the Soo would continue to shoot its coal trains into Bismarck from the Wilton lignite mines and supply the city with fuel despite the shortage of anthracite and bituminous grades of coal. 1 4Or Little Hard Coal. Several fuel dealers made the as- sertion today that there was a small supply of hard coal in Bismarck. One firm had eight cars of soft coal, which, it stated, would, hold through under the present weather conditions for a period of from three to four weeks. A month's time or leas would see the (Continued on Page Three) One: in Twelve. ‘ Reports from Kansas City und ‘oth- er points to the west, that some’og the employes were unwilling to obey the strike call were met by 2 statement by W. G. Lee, president of the Broth- erhood of Railway Trainmen, that the leaders expected at isast one in 12 to refuse to strike. “Don't forget history says our Sav- iour found one Judas among the 12 he selected,” Mr. Lee said. Count Noses. ‘ “We therefore do not hope. to beat His record and we look for at least one in 12. The only way to determine whether our men are in earnest is to count noses Sunday and thereafter. “Don’t forget that we left the entire matter to President Wilson last. Aug- ust and agreed to abide by his pro- posal then, The railroads refused to settle the question. I have since pub- licly proposed to leave the entire con- troversy, to President Wilson to say personally whether we should have the eight-hour day in freight and yard service without reduction of the pres- ent daily rates. “The railroads seemingly prefer a strike, rather than abide by President Wilson’s suggested method of settle- ment. Who is disloyal to the gov- ernment?” (Associated Press.) St. Paul, Minn., March 16.—Rail- way officials intimated today that the result of the proposed strike would not affect St. Paul and its territory to its full extent immediately after the call becomes effective, because of the fact that the engineers on the Chi- cago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha, railroad voted against the strike last year, it,was believed they would not walk out. Engineers on the ‘Minneap- olis & St. Louis agreed at the same time to stay with the roads. George Huntington, general manag- er of the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie. told of an arrangement with employes on that line, which provided for 30 days’ notice of a walk-out and predicted that 24 hours after the call of a strike, his road would be maintaining normal condi- tions. On the other hand, leaders of the men here expressed confidence that the walk-out will take 100 per cent of those who voted last summer for the strike, including large ‘numbers of non-union men. ADVISE EMBARGO. (Associated Press.) ‘ ‘New York, March 16.—As one. of the first steps to deal with the disor ganization of tfansportation which will be caused by the railroad strike. the national conference committee of railway managers has ‘yf individual railroads that an embergo on all perishable freight is sable. CONSIDERING ME: 8. (Associated Press.) Washington, March 16—The Coun- cil of ‘National Defense, eral cabinet members. At here today, took-up.the- tion-wide railroad strike and indicated that