The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada • 1

TEMPERATURE YESTERDAY Max. 34 above; min. 28 above WEATHER FORECAST: FAIR AND COLDER VOL. CXLVI. NO.

65 MONTREAL. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1917. TWENTY-TWO PAGES PRICE TWO CENTS, mm fni funnl Maim STIRRING SCENES RAILROADMEN WILL STRIKE ON PEOPLE PARADED AS PROTEST AGAINST SHORTAGE OF BREAD AND SOLDIERS WERE ORDERED TO FIRE ON THEM BUT REFUSED REVOLUTION AIM PROSECUTION OF WAR VIGOROUSLY Police fired on populace and were then attacked by troops, who achieved rapid victory, taking all important buildings and gaining control of city Council President and Sturmer arrested; Protopopoff reported killed "Win the war party" wins, expelling pro-German elements. HEIR TO THRONE ONLY A BOY; WAS BADLY INJURED Is Thirteen Years Old and Had Serious Accident While on Yacbt-ing Trip in Summer ol 1912 REGENT WAS IN EXILE At Odds With Czar and Married Divorcee Empress Reported Under Guard-Prince Lvoff Leads People's Cabinet Associated Press able. Petrograd.

March 15. The Emperor of Russia has abdicated, and Grand Duke Michael Alejcandrovitch, his younger brother, has been named re gent. The Russian Ministry, charged with corruption and Incompetence, has been swept out of office. One min ister, Alexander Protopopoff, head of the Interior Department, Is reported to have been killed and the other min isters as well as the President of the Imperial Council are under arrest. The Empress, has been placed under guard.

A new national cabinet is announc ed with Prince Lvoff as president Of the council and premier, and the oth er offices held by the men who are close to the Russian people. The mem bers of the new national cabinet are announced as follows: Premier, President of the Council and Minister of the Interior Prince Georges E. Lvoff. Foreign Minister Professor Paul N. Milukoff.

Minister of Public Instruction Professor Manuiloff, of Moscow University. Minister of War nad Navy, ad interim A. J. Guchkoff, formerly President of the Duma. Minister of Agriculture M.

Ichin-gareff, deputy from Petrograd. Minister of Finance M. Tereschlcn-ko, deputy from Kiev. Minister of Justice Deputy Keren-ski, of Saratoff. Minister of 'Communications N.

Nekrasoff, Vice-President of the Duma: Controller of State M. Godnetf, Deputy from Kazan. Ever since October, 15H2. the health of the heir to the Russian throne has been the subject of much discussion and a never-ending swarm, uf.ru-nwrrs. On October 24.

of that ar, when the Imperial fajnily wan on the yacht Standart, the Tzarevitch either became 111 or was injured, and tin was followed immediately by the suicide of Admiral Chagin, commander of the yacht. Thee facts, coupled with the summoning of dtstinguixhed physicians from all over Europe, the admittedly very iow recovery of the Imperial Prince, and Hie secrecy to the life of the court which makes It uncertain even yet whether he recovered without permanent disability, gave rise to reports of all sorts, slinging from the crucial explanations that he had fallen while In his Jjtith tub. or had slipped while climbing on a chair, or had hurt himself diving, to the wildest and most circumstantial tak thai the boy had been hot or stabbed by a revolutionist. The undeniable fact i that at hhat time the boy suffered a. serious In-Jury In the groin which, kept him seriously 111 for many months after ward.

Recently he has been reported as visiting some of the armlej, but whether he has really recovered Is still quite uncertain. It has even bcn axuertod that the Injury necessitated an operation which would interfere seriously with the boy's fitness for the post of Emperor, but nome doubt seems to be cast upon this by more recent events. There seems much evidence, however, that the son. who was horn to the Imperial couple after four daughter, Is of a weak constitution, and has never been regarded as very likely to xij on the throne. To his physical weakness there ha been added what many re-garrf as a serious handicap In th fact that his personal guard and most constant companion, during the your before the wsr, at least, was a Bailor named Derevenko, who had no qualifications for the post of guardan of the heir except courage and fidelity.

The Tssarevltch born at Peters-hot on the 12th of August, 1904. He holds the usual number of honorary commission In the army, and nvy of "'lfila. and of other monarchies, headed by the dignity of Jfetrnan it al! the cossaeks, and Is a Knight of St. Andrew ami Knight of the of Cweden. His four titer.

(Continued on Pace 9, Col. 1.) AS TROOPS TAKE NEW ALLEGIANCE Regiments Hurry to Petrograd to Pay Respects to Rodzianko and the New Government SOCIALISTS ARE'SEDITIOUS Issued Proclamations of Mere Doctrinaires British and French Ambassadors Cheered and Escorted Hprctal Cable to Th Montreal t.atette from The London Time. Petrograd, March 15. One of the moet impressive scene of the revolution was the arrival of the 1'reobra-jensky Guards, with their colonel and officers, at the Taurbj Palace. Then men, all of giant stature, were drawn up in ranks of four deep the length of the enormous Catherine Hall, where the President of the Puma had come to greet them.

On the u.pieai'anc6 of I'reflUlent Rodzianko the Colonel's voicn rang. "I'reobra Jcnky; attention." The whole re glmcnt stood at ttuhite. Rodzianko saluted them as followw: "Soldiers of ithe true faith, let me as an old soldier greet you aicoordlng to our custom. I wish you good "Your execelienicy." came the thund erous The President continued: "I want to thank you for coming to the help of tlte members of the 'Imperial Du ma to establish order and afeguurd the honor and glory of our country, while your comrades are fighting in the trenches for the might and majesty of Russia. I am proud my son has been serving since the beginning ot the In your gallant ranks.

Return rjuictly to your barracks and come here at the firot call when you may be required," "We are ready," aneied th guards; "show tl the way," "The old authority is Incapable of leading Ruwslti the right way." was tit answer. "Our firm task Is to establish new authority which we nil believe and trust will be able, to save uiwl magnify our mother. nm-la." The soldiers ninrchcd out shouting "hurrah, Roilzianlto." Jle was greeted in the same manner by the officers and men of the Gieiiuilirr Guards, and officers and troopers of the Ninth Cavalry Regiment. All the regiments after visiting (lie )iima returned to the barracks with bands playing and colors flyliiK anild the enthusiastic cheering of the people. A group of 22 elected members the 1'iiper lloiist, Including (iatchkoff, Stakhoiiitcli, Price.

Trubntskol, Prof. VuKsillofT, Grimm and Vernadsky, yesterday addressed a telegram to the Czar, in which they said: "Maintenance of the old government In office Is tantamount to a complete overthrow of. law and order involving the. on the battlefield and end of the dynasty, two of the gre.il est misfor tunes that could come to Russia, We consider the only means of salvation lies in complete and lluul rupture with the past and Immediate convocation of Parliament, and the summoning of a. person enjoying the confidence of the nation, who shall form a new cabinet capuble of governing the country in full accord with the representatives of the nation.

Unless Your Majesty Immediately complins with the wishes of the moderate element of influence at present exercised by the provisional committee of the Imperial Duma It will pawn whnlcxale Into the hands of the Socialists, who want to see a republic established, hut who are unable to institute any kind of an orderly government, and must. Inevitably precipitate the country into anarchy within and disaster without." RKDITt'H'M PROCLAMATION. Yesterday the Social Democratic party Issued a proclamation of a most seditious character. They were mere doctrinaires, but the power of mischief Is enormous. I close this message full of hope that tomorrow it may bo my privilege to record the birth of a new Russia without further bloodshed.

Khould my hopes be realized, we may confidently look forward to the resumption of a national activity on a scale prevloua'v unknown. Tuesday afternoon, while sailors with a hand were on their way to the Tauris Palace. machine gun secreted on the top floor of the military hotel, formerly known as th Avforia. where a number of EuglUh officers, reside. (Continued on Pag 12, Col.

S), SATURDAY NIGHT Companies' Counter-proposal Iof Submission ol Dispute to Geo-ttials Commission Was Refused MORE LEAVE ON SUNDAY Only President Wilson Can Now Avert Tie-Uo-Man-agers Think They Will Be Able to Run a Skeleton Service By Aorited Prrta. New York, March 15. A "progres- sive strike" of the members of the four great railroad brotherhoods, to begin at o'clock (central time) Sunday on eastern roads, was ordered here late today. The walkout will extend to all the railroads in the country within fye days. Chiefs of the workmen's organizations set the strike machinery In motion within a few minutes after an ultimatum delivered to the conference committee of railroad managers had been rejected.

A compromise proposal offered by the managers was declined without debate. Only successful intervention by President Wilson, It appeared toniehi. can avert a strike. The brotherhood leaders gave no indication that even an appeal from the nation's chief executive can change their purpose to obtain a basic eight, hour day and pro rata time for overtime through th use of the "protective feature" of their organizations. They refused flatly to submit their caso to the eight hour day commission headed by Major-Gen- eral George W.

Goethals or to await the decision of the Supreme Court on (Continued on Page 8, Col. 2 INDEX TOTHE NEWS Page Two. 231 Canadian casualties, Vngo Three Social and personal. Page Four Eva Boyle's statement that she snot 1-laynrs admitted as evidence. Second tenders for -motor sweepers and sprinklers declared illegal.

Lieut. Win. K. Nutter, awarded Military Cross, Is son of Montrealer. Page Five Confial welcome to It! wounded men, Pugo Six Trades and Labor Council adopted partial report of suggestions for Tram.

Commission. I'urc heven City anil district newn. Puge Ten Editorial. Page F.leen. Mass meeting of Irish citizens call on Premier Itorden to tight for Home Rule.

Pngo Twelve Court to go in mourning for 4 weeks out of respect for late Duchess of Connaught. Pitge Fourteen Special parliamentary committee hears evidence regarding treatment of returned soldiers. Three cases argued In the Court of Appeal. Pago I'll'locn Council of Agriculture decides price set by Government for purchase of wheat, crop Is too low. Pago W.

11. Scott won Rawlines Trophy at the Thistle Curling Club. Big leaguers continue to show improvement at camp. Pago Seventeen Grumpy won featine at Hot track. Increased purses for racing Springs at Ot- tawa.

Page Nineteen More large application, for the war loan. New York stocks firm ktrong through moMt of yesterday's session. Page Local stocks dull, with irregular changes. Canada Cement Company elected three, new rilre'-tors at annual meeting. Steel Co.

of Canada declares dividend of I with Ss bonus for quarter. lvtuvtcn Cur Co. defers dividend, preferred stock. Page "Twciity-cnn The grain markets, Twenty-two 4 Admiral teiui'orv tenca war minister, Bonar Law Expresses Allies' Gom- iort that Discontent at Lack of Energy Aroused the People JOY THROUGHOUT BRITAIN Great Russia Joins Demo cracies of World, Forcing Resignation of One of Europe's Three Absolutist Rulers Asaorinted Presa Cable. London, March 15.

Andrew Bonar Law, Chancellor of the Exchequer, an nounced in the House of Commons tonight that Emperor Nicholas had abdicated and that Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovitch had been appointed Regent. The soldiers sided with tlvj Duma, but there was no seri ous loss of life. The Chancellor added that it was comforting to know that the movement was not directed at: securing peace by Russia. A. telegram received by the naval attache of the Russian TJmbassy In Paris reported that, the railways and public services in Petrograd had re-uimed work, said Mr.

Bonar Law. "Only tonight," the Chancellor of the Exchequer said, "a message has been received from our Ambassador to the effect that a statement from the Duma announced that the Emperor had abdicated and that Grand Duke Michaol Alexandrovitch had been appointed Regent. "There Is some comfort for us in the comparative tranquility with which this change was conducted. Here Is also real comfort that all the Government's information shows that the movement was not In any (sense directed toward an effort to secure peace by Russia. "On the contrary, tlie discontent was not against the Government for carrying on the war, but for not carrying it on with that efficiency and energy which the people hud expected." JOINS THE DEMOCRACIES Joy in London That People Win Against Absolute Ruler Ixnidun, March lfi.

-The news that "Great Russia" had joined the democracies of the world and that one of the three great absolutist rulers of the world had resigned his throne In accordance with the demands of his people was received here with unmixed joy. There lias been no Illusion about Russia here. Particularly In the last year ll had been well understood that the situation there has been the people against the throne. "The people and the army are all for the war and against Ucrmuny." has been the world which came from Itus-sla from all channels repeatedly. That the court has been enshrouded in a pro-German atmosphere and that the Kmperor was a weak man under the thumb of his wife ami also under the domination of several members of the bureaucracy, some of whom were Influenced only by the tradition of the old bureaucracy and others of whom were Influenced by and In the pay of German diplomat, also had been reported.

The men now In control of the destinies of the great empire of western Kinone are Russians who are antl- Gernmit and pro-Ilussiun to the core, so the Russian developments are regarded here as wholly to the benefit of the Entente Rowers in the war. DISTRUST THE EMPRESS Was German Princess and Used Great Influence on Czar Isiiidon. March, 15. According to Information received here, the Hussian people have beet! most distrustful durlne recent events of the personal Influence Of Empress Alexandra. Khe was iirpnsed to exercise the.

greatest Influnce over Kmieror Nicholas It Ik stated that her wherealKut Is not known, hut it is believed hIic Is In seclusion, fearing the populace. The Kinpresn Alexandra, before her marriage to the Emperor of KuksIil, In 1SH4. was the German I'rlncers Allx of Hes-DarmHtadt. RODZIANKO" IS PRESIDING New Gov't Asked Emperor for Parliament Government London. March 15 The Government of Petrog'nd In now In the hands of a committee, ronsl'ding of represen- (Continued on i'age 9, Col.

2.) cial committee, composed of the lead-! ers of the various parties in the Du- would submit lusts of names for the new cabinet. Simultaneously it was reported thatj all the ministers except M. Protopopoff, had resigned. PALACE IN SIEGE STATE. The Imperial Palace at Tsarskoe-Selo is said to be in a state of siege, I but thus far no firing has been reported between the guards defending the palace and the revolutionists and troops.

It is stated that General Michael Alexieff. farmer chief of staff, ha6 been offered the military dictatorship. On Monday, which was the turning point in- the battle between the Government troops and mutineers, all the principal strongholds, arsenals, factories and barracks, including the St. Peter and St. Paul fortress and artillery headquarters fell into the hands of the revolting troops, and the revolutioiste were plentifully supplied with rifles and ammunition.

At the same time all the prisons for political offenders were thrown open by the revolutionists and the prison-ers marched out to join their emancipators. The battle spread from one part of he town to another, with the rapidity of a thunderstorm, and as the day progressed it became apparent that nothing could stem the tide of revolution, which swept westward from tJie neighborhood of the Duma, and the chief military barracks up the Ncvsky Morskaya to St. Isaac's square. The economic and industrial life" of the city came to a complete standstill. Street car eer-vice was suspended from the beginning of the disorders and stores were cloned.

The two leading hotels which housed officers were wrecked; others restricted their service to regular patrons. In response to an appeal by the revolutionist committees, citizens distributed food to the soldiers. DUMA WAS DISSOLVED. The Duma was dissolved, by Im perial order, effective March 11, Uie Imperial ukase reading as follows: "The sittings of the Duma are adjourned owing to the extraordinary circumstances until further notice. They will be resumed not later than April.

On Monday the Duma members, ex cept the Rightists, met in executive session, notwithstanding the dissolu tion order. The result was a virtually unanimous vote to place the Duma squarely on the side of the revolution and to authorize the executive council of that body to declare, the pres ent government, overthrown and organize a provisional government. Pre sident Rodzianko, who presided, sent a telegram to the Emperor, informing mm or tne developments and calling on him to listen to the voice of the people. "The hour has struck." he said, "when the will of the people must prevail." STAFF OF THE GOVERNMENT. The following have been named as the "staff" of the temporary govern-menUMlchael V.

RnitU.rc-ko; N. V. Nekrasoff, A. I. Konovaloff.

I. f. Dmit-rukoff, A. F. Kerensky, M.

S. Psh-keidze. V. V. Shulgin, S.

I. Sliidlov-sky, Paul N. Millukoff. M. A.

Makar-auloff, V. N. Lvoff, V. A. RJevsky, Colonel Englehard.

The order dissolving the Duma was issued by the Emperor just before he left for the front recently. That trouble would result was evidently anticipated, rind the residents of Tsar-koe-Zlowere warned to make all arrangements to remain In the suburb for an Indefinite period, and the roads leading to the town were guarded. The Immedltite occurrences leading to Monday's developments began at o'clock Sunday evening, when the men of Ihe Volynsky regiment shot their officers and revolted after receiving an order to fire upon striking work-mt' in one -of the factory districts. Another regiment detailed against the mutineers also Joined the revolt. The news spread rapidly to the other barracks and four more regiments went over.

Some of the revolting troops marched to the famous St. Peter and St. Paul fortrfss on the left bank of the Neva and after a brief skirmish with the garrison took possession of it. On Tuesday revolutionary publication appeared In the streets with the simple caption "news' containing a resume of the developments. They were eagerly read by all classes.

Uod- alanko'a telegrams to the Emperor nnd others to the commanders of the troops at the front were reproduced. The first message to the Emperor was as follows: "The situation Is grave. Anarchy reigns In th capita I. The government Is The transport of provisions mid fuel Is completely disorganized. General dissatisfaction le growing.

Irregular rifle firing is oc-curing in the streets. It is necessary to charge immediately some person trusted by the people to form a new government. It is impossible to linger, since delay means death. Praying God that the responsibility in this hour will not fall upon a crowned head." Later President Rodzianko sent the following to the Emperor: "The posi tion is becoming more serious. It is imperative that immediate measwres be taken because tomorrow will be Too late.

The last hour has come when the fate of the Fatherland and the dynasty are being decided." Similar telegrams were sent to all the commanders at the front with an appeal for their support of the Duma's action. General Alexis Brussiloff, commander-in-chief of the armies of the southwestern front, and General Nicholas Ruzsky, commander of the northern armies, replied promptly. The former sent this message: "Have fulfilled duty before Fatherland and Emperor." General Ruzsky's reply read: "Commission accomplished." The visible signs of revolution began on Thursday, March 8. Strikes were declared in several toig munitions factories as a protest against the shortage of bread. Men' and women gathered and marched through the streets, most of them in an orderly fashion.

A few bread 6hops were' broken into in that section of the city beyond the Neva, and several minor clashes between strikers and police occurred. Squads of mounted troops appeared, but during Thursday and Friday the utmost friendliness seemed to exist between the troops and the people. There was practically no violence. The patrols rode slowly through the crowds to keep them moving, joking with the people and being cheered by them. On Saturday, however, apparently without provocation, the troops were ordered to Are on people marching in Nevsky Prospect.

The troops refused to fire, and the police, replacing them, fired rifles and machine guns. Then came a clash between troops and police, which continued in a desultory fashion throughout Saturday night and Sunday. The Nevsky Prospect was cleared of traffic by the police and notices were posted by the commander of the Petrograd military district, warning the people that any attempt to congregate would be met by force. The factory strikes and street demonstrations, comparatively Innocent in themselves, provided the spark which set aflame the growing unrest and angry discontent with the Government that, pervading the entire population of Russia, had reached the ignition point. Thus small manifes tations of hungry factory workers, crying for bread, changed in a single day into a revolution which swept the whole city, spread to the Government troops, who had been called to hold the crowds In check, and, supported by the Duma, ended in the downfall of the Government.

The revelations In the Duma of government stupidity and corruption, and allegations of treason against the chief members of the Cabinet sent a wave of protest through the country, and all political factions, except a small reactionary group, still cherishing traditional Ideas of the old regime which existed before Russia received a constitution, declared themselves firmly against, the sinister Influences which hsd been undermining the best efforts of the country successfully to CHrry on the war. Even the Imperial Council, which never before In the history of the country hud allied Itself with the popular will, held special meetings. In which attention was called "to the serious conditions to which the country had been brought by the un-scrunulous designs of governmental heads." With unanimity unprecedented the entire population presented a soi1 front against the Government. The belief prevailed everywhere and was expressed that pro'German court circles and the Government were, doing everything In their power to Interfere with the proper conduit of the war and bring sbnnt a separate peace. Sturmer.

Raapiftln and Protopopoff formed a picturesque trio, known as the "dark forces" against which the chief animosity of the country was directed, but powerful as thsy were, these figures were declared to be only symbols of German. Influence which was "militating against the patriotic desire of the muss of the Russian people for war until victory." APPEALS TO EMPEROR. After the assassination of Rasputin and the removal of Sturmer from the premiership, the sums ministerial tn-ffitence. wearing a new mask in the form of a changed cabinet Duma of-JIiIhIs declared, still flourished with (Continued on Page 9. Col.

Associated Press Cable. Petrograd, March '15. Events leading up to the revolution began a week ago with street demonstrations of workingmen who quit work as a protest against the shortage of bread. The first two days mounted patrols kept Ihe crowds moving without resorting to violence. When ordered to fire on the people they refused.

Police were substituted and -a battle occurred between them and the troops. Regiment, after regiment joined the revolters and seized arsenals and other strategic points. Until Sunday night there was no intimation that the affair would grow to the proportions of a revolution. From then until Tuesday morning almost continuous lighting in the streets and throughout the citv occurred, leaving the revolutionists in full control. The latter are proceeding to reorganize the Government.

Today the city emerged from a week's nightmare; of revolution and figuratively smiled under a brilliant flood of sunshine following the series of gray days ending with a snowstorm, yesterday evening. Planks were pulled down from windows long closed. Stores, banks and 1 usiness establishments of every description re-opened their doors for the resumption of ordinary activities, seemingly as "'--f. in the new temporary government gained in force. Truck siedges and little sleighs for hire, the most widely appreciated conveniences of Russian cities, began to- appear again in the streets, which for six days had been absolutely void of any means of private transportation.

Newspapers, with the exception of revolutionary publications, which sprang into life with the success of the revolt, had failed to appear. Street car service at noon had not been re sumed, but it was believed that night would see partial service. The only visible signs of the desper ate clash of authority which turned the city into a battle ground were the charred ruins of the jail, which are still pouring a cloud of smoke sky ward, and here and there the remains of other police institutions and the homes of the few individuals who were regarded as offenders against the rights of the people. In front of other Government institutions, which appar ently It was not seen fit to destroy, are piles of charred embers showing where wreckage and documents had been dumped and consumed. LAST FEEBLE DEFENCE.

The defenders of the old regime-doubtless a few remained uncaptured by the police put up a last feeble defence last night from the roofs of the wrecked Astoria Military Hotel and St. Isaac's Cathedral, facing on two sides of the same square. They were goon silenced by the sharpshooters of the new authority. With the re-opening of bread, sugar, tea and meat shops queues of women with shopping bugs and baskets lined up often to the length of a block to replenish stores exhausted by the long siege. The most phenemonal feature of the revolution has been the swift and orderly transition whereby the control of the city passed from the regime of the old Government the hands of Its opponents.

Until Sunday disorders in the streets, which never went beyond quiet gatherings or mild demonstrations, could not properly be termed a revolution at all. After thlrty-ttlx hours of continuous street fLrtvting the whole area of petrograd was. on Tuesday noon, in the hands of the revolutionists. Regiments called out to disperse street crowds' which were chimoring fur bread, refused to fire upon the people, but mutinied, slaylnc their officers In many caet) and joined the ranks of the Insurgents. With the exception of a Finnish regiment, which took possession of the Admiralty building, on the Neva, mid kept up desultory rifle and mschlne gun fire, the last regiments to remain loyal to the Government hd capitulated after a sustained battle nn the Morekaya, and there was no further resistance to the revolutionist who controlled the entire city.

The police Ivad disappeared from the street, which were patrolled by automobiles packed with soldier and students, and were wildly cheered by the people a they sped by. The Government was declared to tie overthrown by the Duma leadens, who met In the Maverltchlskv Palace, after the regular slon had been adjourned by Imperl4 tikae, ani In telfjram to the Kmper-r the popular repreeentaUve declared that spe.