Ambassador Meyer to the Secretary of State.
St. Petersburg, December 26, 1905.
Sir: I beg leave to report that on the 25th of December the conditions in Moscow were still serious. The struggle was continuing, but with somewhat abated energy on the part of the revolutionaries. It is difficult to say whether on account of fatigue or decrease of enthusiasm, but there was much less firing. The fighting was more on the outskirts of the city. No business or work can be done, as the firing makes it too dangerous. For this reason all banks and government offices are closed. The streets are deserted and buildings all boarded up. Many points are occupied by troops, and the sentinels search passersby for arms. In many streets in the center of the city no one is allowed to pass at all. The hospitals and morgues no longer suffice for the killed and wounded. Even private hospitals are overflowing. [Page 785] The telegraph office is only accepting government telegrams. The post-office is not working.
The governor-general will hold owners responsible for arms found in their houses and for not keeping their street doors closed. Punishment, three months’ imprisonment or 3,000 rubles fine. This has already caused several, unaided by the police, to take their street doors from the barricades and put them back.
To-day the militia, organized by the governor-general, with the aid of the Union of Russian People, began operations. It is led by the police. The revolutionaries call them the “Black Hundred.”
A large printing office, containing 600 armed workmen, was surrounded by artillery, cavalry, and infantry. The building was set on fire and many were burned alive, including families. The troops also suffered losses from the determined resistance of the workmen.
Many fresh barricades are being built during the night, making passage impossible. They are made very strong with wiring and are guarded by revolutionaries with red flags.
A fight took place again at the railway station and a factory, where the troops were fought by 3,000 armed men.
At a meeting near the Kursk Railroad shops 10,000 men took part at which it was decided to arrest the governor-general and the chief of police.
That part of the city which is occupied by barricades is in the center, from the Butyrsk Gates to Iversk street and Dorogomilovsk. The barricades extend in three parallel lines. Other streets and places are also barricaded. They are built of boxes and barrels, stones, telegraph poles and wires, street lamps, booths and tramway poles, old iron, and heavy house doors. Many trees on the boulevards have been destroyed. At one place the revolutionaries took possession of the car houses of a street-car company and used the cars as a barricade, leaving narrow openings for people on foot to pass through.
A volunteer guard has been formed to assist the police.
All night the killed and wounded were being carried away; they are estimated by thousands. An attempt was made to assassinate the chief of police. Fresh barricades are still being put up.
In general, yesterday there was less firing and fewer casualties.
I have, etc.,