Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-17
Nihil,sm and War.

After several months Of feignod slumber
the Russian Nihilists have again been hcaro
from. The history OF Nihilism in Russia
for the year 1885 - thus summarized IN
recent article on Russia: In March about
forty Nihili,ts were arrested In II. Peters
burc. In May sub-inspector OF police
xas sho. dead at KharSOv while en-
Gagged in searching The house OF person
In whose possession were explosives
arms. and secret priptiDg-press. Tue
rerrctrator OF the crime was arrested ana
,,,cd before a military court and con-
demped 10 death. In November there was
. great trial Of Nlhilists ut warsaw
Among the prisoners were a police justice
nepbew Of a Russian general, an artillery
officer an engineer officer, lawyer, civil
engineer. a professor in the University OF
Moscow, large landowner several
journalists. and a number Of wOrkingmen.
The evidence showed that the revolutionary
sentiment hsd spread TO all classes. The
prisoners were CHARGED with belonging to
the Central Committee OF society cailed
the pToleiariat, which was allied 10 the
Executive Committee OF the Narodnaya
yolya, and with attempting the lie OF the
Emperor. They were also charged With
numbering two police agents. Six OF them
were condemned 10 be hanged and twenty
two others were sentenced to long periods
Of penal seryitudc.
This monster trial was followed hy re-
newed activity and most vigorous measures
on the part Of the police authorities and
the military. The reignO Of terror started by
the Nihilists was supplautcd by a reign OF
terror inaugurated by the police. The
Governments secret agents were every
where, and for time il seemed that
Nihilism had been utterly stamped out.
IL appears that even the Car had begun TO
experience feeling Of security. But there
has been a rude awakening from this
dream. II H. now promulgated that the
sentence Of death against the Car has
nos been revoked. Signs OF Nlhlllstic
activity are cropping ont at various points
sre told that the judgment of the "high
court Of terror" which declares that the
RoNANoFF dynasty must be Overthrown,
will be executed at the first opportunity.
A STAY OF execution had been granted; that
was ALL The thoroughness OF the organize
ton Of the Nihilists will be appreciated
when il is stated that their mysterious organ
has again appeared in st. Petersburg.
That such a paper should be composed,
printed, and circulated In the capital, where
nearly every house Is under the surveillance
OF a SOY or gusrded by q bayonet, is evidence
that the reyolutionists are working under a
system that is almost perfect. Nor is this all;
IL seems pretty clear that, despite every pre-
caution Of the Cars agents, the NihilistS
i'm Russia are able 10 keep up intelligent
communication with the revolutionists
outside Of the Empire. Almost simulta-
neously with the reappearance OF the NihI'
list organ in ST. Petersburg large Nihillst
meeting was held in London, ~ whlch
were present several prominent Nihilist
leaders. Though the utterances OF the
principal speakers were carefully guarded
there was, we are informed, can under
tone Of defiance and logged resolution
that had n world Of terrible meaning. II
was plain that the great conspiracy had
not been abandoned, nor even passed into
allegiance"
nv some tins condition OF affairs Is held
10 guarantee the peace OF Europe. Their
argument is that the Car has so much to
attend TO at home that he cannot afford TO
hiring ON war. The state OF the empire is
such. they contend, as 10 command all
available resources for suppressing Mill
ism. They reason that the march Of the
Russian armies 10 the seat OF war
would be signal for starting a
revolutionary connagration in the rear.
But there Is another view Of the matter
which is urged with equal IL not more force
There is no difference Of opinion in Russia
"A 10 the necessity for Russia's getting pos
session of the Bosphorus aud the Darda'
nelles. A war looking to the consummaiior
OF "the hope Of Moscow would be popu
lar. particularly with the old nobility
That class has all to gain by war. A.
We have stated on more than one occasion
Il Is held that the Precipitation OF the Mos
COW nobility would give the Car weapon
that could be used with powerful effcc
against Nihihsm. Many families, il Is said
who are now simply passively opposed t
Nihihsm would become active In tht
work OF suppressing il were dc
termined war for the seizure OF Con
stautinople inaugurated. The old nobilit.
belieye that such war would not onl
open the way TO military preierment 70
their houses, but eventually bring abou
political changes that would open the way {
! political preierment AMI power also. Tn
\ Cars visit 10 Moscow, taken In eonne(
ton with some Of his late utterance,
tends 10 show that he recognizes the VII
dom OF and necessity for maxim
fair weather with the old nobility. Their
Is therefore nothing unreasonable In tn
assumption that the Nibilistic reawskenin
may prove an important factor in precipi
tating war rather than the means Of pre-
serving the peace Of Europe. There i
nothing unreasonable in the assumption
that the Gar may see that another dash a
81. Sophia offers the best guarantee 10
peace at home and the safety and perpo
tptifv az the RoxANoPT DYNASTY.