Miliukov and a few others urged that all uprisings should be discouraged
because they would interfere with the war, would cost the lives of many
innocent persons, and would accomplish nothing. There were, however,
others, especially Anisimov, who argued strongly in favor of a strike,
saying that this was the opportune time to overthrow the present regime
and to establish a democratic government.[Footnote: I have this story from
Miliukov.] When the revolution came off and the papers of the secret police
were seized, it was discovered that Anisimov, who urged the revolt, was
the paid agent of the Government and was doubtless doing its bidding. This
shows that the Government instigated and abetted the uprising. But this
is not all the evidence. Between February 27 and the outbreak of the
revolution men impersonating Miliukov went to the factories, calling on the
workmen to rise against the Government.[Footnote: I have this story from
Miliukov.] There is still another bit of evidence. In order to give the
laboring classes cause for revolt, the food supply in the factory districts
was reduced and many people suffered from hunger and in their desperation
came out into the streets. During the revolutionary week little, if any,
food came in, but immediately after it the soldiers found 250,000 "puds" of
flour, [Footnote: _Russkaia Svoboda_, 1917.
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