Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-11-20
TRYING THE REvOLUT.oNIsrs
A SOH's Story of Prison Life tina
Made His Father Fall Eaintiug i:
the CsUrt-kS0in,
[St. Petersburg G nos

[St. Petersburg G. dos
From the +tn TO the 14th of october last the
military court of khaTkOff was engaged in try
Ing fourteen persons accused of belonging to a
secret society the purpose or which was to over
throw The existing government and social sys-
ZEN OF Russia. Ia the course OF the trial Is was
shown Tat A. SytZlanko and Legky had oil =
trtbuteG p mphlets and proclamatiOas melting
the people TO insurrection; that Ph!iippon had
forged passes; that Danilof had insulted the
officers who went 10 arrest him. that Professor
Sytzianko had not reported 10 the authorities
the crimes OF his son, Alexander, youth OF -
years. The accusations against the other pris-
oners were comparatively Insignificant. The
defence was conducted very poorly, all the
counsel being appointed by the court from
among the military counsel. The trial OF the
youth SytZ,ankO produced an unusual excite
ment IN the court. DR.. Sytztanko had ali the
sympathy OF the public, being esteemed both as
an able professor Of the University OF KhaFkofr
and as a physician. Eight months of prison life
had made him almost unrecognizable; his face
was deadly pale. stu when examined he de
Tended himself ably. His sou, Alexander, gym
naslum pupil. was undoubtedly the most retaaIk-
able Of all the accused HIS beautiful face his
clear and charming voice, and his eioauence pro.
duced a very favorable impression on the public
Inc most striking moment OF the trial was this
The attorney for the state asked Alexander
Why, On the preliminary Investigation he had
made certain statements which on the trial he
recalled. In explanation the youth described
most eloquently all the horrors OF the prison
life he had been submitted to- His nhyslc Al
suffe.ings and moral tortures he said. had ra.
duced him 10 condition In which no person
can be responsible either for his words or for his
actions. He told how he felt when during the
winter he was shut In a small. dark damn
underground cell, and Su6olsted for time on
one glass or water that was given to him once
In twenty-fOur hours. The father OF the
youth could not stand such drea iful
tale; he tainted and so put an end to
the exposition OF the secrets Of the political
prison. A most exciting scene followed. All
the lasleS present 10 the courtroom cried and
SObbed. and tears were seen on the faces OF the
StOuteSt men. The court adjourned When II
reappeared the attorney for the prosecution
requested that the prison authorities and guard.
ians should be summoned as witnesses. GA
the next day they were brought. Alexander
SytZianko was requested to repeat what ne had
received by him at the hands OF the priso1
authorities. This he did, and added some
details even more shocking. Again his father
felt sick, and requested the court TO be allowed
to leave the courtroom. This petition was
granted. The prison authorities were unable
70 contradict the startling revelations made by
the youthful prisoner
on Oct. Ii the Judgment of the court was an
nounced 10 the accused. Alexander SytZtankC
sent TO Siberia for two years and eight months
at hard labor; Philippon, being deprived OF Ger
tain special rights, was exiled to Siberia fol-
two years; Blinon and Kuzne,Zon were sent &c
d fortress for four mOntaS; Danfl0n also got
four months and GoiuOef two months. The
rest of the accused, including DR.. Sytzianko
were acquitted. On Oct. rs the same court viii
son OF the priest kOjin, a daughter OF the priest
ko1in, the son OF State Counsellor Balabuch
DIR. Rudakon, and the daughter OF the sergeant
GaDgozoff, all accused OF political crimes.