New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-05
THE NIHILIST DEGAIEFR.
THE STORY OF THE MURDER OF COLONEL
soUDEIBINE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
BY THE MAN HE HAD SAVED
FROM THE GALLONS.

FROM THE GALLONS.
The recent murder OF NJ. Balltschef, the Bulgarian
Finance Minister cannot be charged to the Nhllists,
although the Cars Government sent note 10 Sofia
lately complaining that Muscovite Nlhlsts were har-
bored in Bulgaria. Tho names of thirteen Nihiltsts
were given In the note and their extradition re
quested. The Cabinet Of Prince Ferdinand answered
that the alleged Nihilists were pursuing peaceful
avocatIOns, while wellknown Bulgarian consprators
were living I'm Russia under the patronage and with
the assistance Of the St. Petersburg Government III
1t proves true as already reported that the murder
Of Balltschef committed by Benderef, an exied
Bulgarian cOnsplratOr against Prince Battenberg that
fact would than support the diplomatic answer
Of the Sofia Cabinet At any rate the Bahtschen
murder has recalled to mind another dispatch, which
stated about twelve days ago that the most famous
of Nidlss, DegaieR had been finally discovered and
arrested at KOstroma, Russia. Later on 1t was stated
that there was no foundation for the report. Many
European papers have published sketches Of the
Of the celebrated Nihillst the most complete
and correct appearing in the Paris Figaro, from
the pen Of VI. Victor Yoza, who was residing at St.
Petersburg In 1888 at the time Of the assassination
of Colonel Soudekine, the cief Of the secret police.
About 1880, according to Figaro" young DeSaief
captain in the Russian Imperial Guard. He
associated with the Nihilsts, and day he found
himself at the head Of a plot. The conspiracy was
detected and Degaie was sentenced to death. Feeling
that he was lost and entertaining the least hope
he waited patiently for death in his CELL reading books
and smoking cigarettes. one night the cell door was
suddenly opened. "ThOSe the executioners,"
thought the sentenced man. But 1t the chief OF
the secret police of st. Petersburg, the colonel Of the
gendarmes, Soudeiklne former mate Of Degaef in
the Guards.
"Good morning, DegaleR," said sOudeikLne.
"What do you want from met 1t is the last inter
rogatory is it nOti" replied Degaief.
"No, DegaieR," answered sOude.kine You are
that bpfp
You"
These simple words produced a magical effect upon
the young prisoner Shaken by his sudden emotion
he could hardly pronounce the words: "What do you
ask from me in eXchange?'
"Nothing, absolutely nOthing-at least for the mo-
ment You free. Let us 80 out; Wen have
talk at my house."
When once in his library Soudekine said to Degaef
Do YOU remember our friendship2 1t il that which
has saved you. l personally asked the Emperor for
your pardon l to him that you would not begin
again. You know that the Car honors me with his
friendship; he could not refuse TO me the head OF
friend which the law claimed for the gallows."
DegaieP was overcome. He fell upon the neck Of
soudekine and kissed him. He became Soudeldne's
secretary and in a short time was the terror Of his
former brethren. Through him some twenty Nlhilists
were to the scafod and hundreds into Siberian
exile. one day. however, Degaief was bitten by re-
morses. Knowing the address of celebrated Nhilist
whom he had not yet delivered up TO the police he
called on him. threw himself at his feet and asked him
what he could do In order to obtain the forgiveness OF
the Nlhlsts and re-enter their ranks. "Enl soudei-
kline" was the answer. Degaief asked to be given
one day to think the matter He returned the
next day and swore that sOudeikne would be removed
in a month The Nihilsts anxious 10 have
soudeildne out Of the way. Enjoying all the con
fdence of the Emperor he belonged nominaly only to
the Third Section lie had his OWE personal police,
which had nothing in with the official police.
lie paid his out of funds left at his disposal in tho
Bank Of the Empire lie spent for the service tens Of
thousands OF roubles every month. but he lived with
poor wards of the capital Never wearing his uniform,
but always in disguise he had In town several lodgings
where he had conferences with his agents. These
agents belonged 70 every class I'm society ana lew knew
each other The lodging in which he daily met Degaeh
was sated In popular quarter on the third hoor oil an
old house, mainly Inhabited by small bourgeois and
trade employees. The tenants OF the house. ana even
the janOr did not suspect that the gentleman on the
third floor Colonel SOudekine. Ii was In this
house that Degaief murdered him. Two Nihllsts. ap-
pointed by the committee rented an apartment on the
third oOc Of the adjoining house. They pierced hole
almost through the wall wide enough for the passage
Of mans body, and at a signal from Degaef they
broke through with one blow and entered soudekines
lodging They found him, struck with p0inard from
behind and lying the floor In pool OF blood As
he was still breathing, they finished him with their
hammecs. Then, with Degae, they returned TO their
rooms. Half hour later the murderer was In the
street well disguised that he was not recognized
even by the three police agents who kept pacing up
and down until morning, waiting for any order that
might be sent by Their chief, SOudeikne These agents
did not dare to knock at the door during the night but
they at last reported 10 the Police COmmissary, and
when an investigation made the awful deed was
discovered. Meanwhile Degaieff had proceeded TO the
Nihfst Commitee, which secured his easy escape
In the two following months Degaiefs photographs
were sent broadcast, and 10000 roubes were yainy
promised for his capture alive and 5000 for his dead
body.