, 1881-05-11
ST. u o1x AVIS

One %endeav0ur of the PrOcuror in his
speech appeared to be to connect in every
possible way the Socialist revolutionary
party in Russia with the later disciples
of similar aims abroad. He mentioned the
assassins NObiling, Passanante, and others,
and referred to the right Of refuge in
Europe, Of which the Nihilists svailed
themselves with impunity, as rather o
right of protection. His eloquent psrora-
ton, in which he declared it impossible
for such men az the prisoners to upset the
existing Government of Russia, was loud
~ applauded.
After a pause of an hour and a hall, the
four counsel for the defence began their
speeches at half-past Teach not taking up
more than about a quartar of an hour.
They all felt the difficulty of their task
increased by the influence over them Of.
the terrible catastrophe of the 18th of
March, and made more or less feeble
efforts to tighten the penalties in store for
the prisoners. The council for Michailoff
maintained that as the latter had con-
cerned himself solely with the economical
conditions of the workmen, and not with
the higher political ideas Of the rest, he
ought not to be classed with them, and
pleaded for at least his life. The best
defence of all was that made by M. Gerard
for Kibaichich. He drew a picture of how
Kibaichich, like hundreds of others, had
been thrown into his illegal and almost
lnextricable position by being sent from
st. Petersburg after the murder of General
MeSsentZotf because he had once been in
the hands of the authorities on the slight
charge OF distributing forbidden books.
The prisoner Jelaboff defended himself
speaking with considerable force and
boldness. He was continually requested
by the President to cOnine himself to the
jurldlcal side of the matter and his person.
al c%onnexlOn with the event of the 18th OF
March; but he insisted on explaining he
views of his party and his own views IN
the state of things in Russia. At one
point, when he struck the front of the
dock, and said fercely that he was also q
Russian and demanded to be heard, there
was a murmur of disapprobation from the
body of the court. His ideas on revolu-
ton and Government it would not be ad-
vlsable to give here, although he asked as
q favour that his speech might be printed
and published word for word. After the
self-defence of Jelaboff, all the prisoners
had a right o freply. Risakoff again spoke
in q voice perfectly inaudible in the body
of the court He was understood, however,
to call attention to what he considered
extenuating circumstances. MichailoR
pleaded his ignorance and poverty as q
workman, labouring IL hours a day for
only black bread and water. Helfmann
only corrected some remarks of her coun-
sci, Kibaichich followed the example of
Jelaboff. though in a quieter and more
respectful manner towards the Court.
~Perowskaja admitted much Of her guile,
and asked to be dealt with regardless Of
her sex. Jelaboff only this time said that
he regretted what he had said after hear
ing his fellow prisoners. but it was difficult
to see what he meant by this. The Court
then rose, and returned about midnight
with "a questions, which the President
read, detailing the various crimes against
each of the accused. The judges then re-
tired again, and in about q couple of hours
again came into court, and through the
President gave a verdict of guilty against
all the prisoners on all "a charges. except
those against Risakoff, Michailoff, and
Helfmann, for cooperation in making the
mine in Little Gsrden-street. These YER
diets having been signed by the judges,
the PrOcurOr asked for sentence of death
on all the prisoners, and the counsel for
the defence pleaded mitigation of punish
ment. at about 2 O'Clock the Court again
retired, the prisoners being removed as
before, and only at Z this morning, when it
was quite daylight and the public, wearv
of waiting, we're doing about the corridors
Of the court, did the eight judges re-enter
and pronounce Judgment. All standing.
excepting the judges, the President read
%hn car%onno ~ d0okh h. honrsrps n do