Evening star., 1901-02-25
Those at Russian Colleges Object to
Military Service.
REFUSE TO ATTEND LECTURES
Trouble at kieff Came Near Re-
sulting in BIoodshed.
LETTER FROM A MOTHER
correspondence of the Associated Press.

ever opinions one may have of the wisdom
OF pohtical movements by university stu
dents. the courage of leaders of the pres
ent protest of the Russian students is he
yond question. They are not ignorant of
the governments determination to enforce
the military service act with unsparing So
verify, and they continue to advance to-
ward their fate with unf1inching intrepidity.
Ine continuation of the disturbances as
soon as the holidays should have passed
was foreseen by everybody No sooner was
the University of st. Petersburg reopened
than the holding of meetings by the stu
uehls was resumed Resolutions were
passed demanding the annulment of all
sentences against students here and else
where, and the holding responsible before
the courts of police of those who might
molest students without sufficient war
rant. "
AZ hleff lectures were resumed to pract,-
cally empty benches the greatest mart of
me attendance applying passive obstruc-
tloh or going on strike" as thew ex-
press IT. The energetic action of the polce
and government has temporarily discon-
certed the students, as twenty five of the
leaders have been placed hors de comhat
Tor political agitation.
The Obstruction Continues.
Nevertheless, the obstruction of the work
body of students and professors has been
appealed to to join the movement until the
demands of the students committee are
complied with. Up to now the number of
strikers in ST. Petersburg is small. though
some professors are not lecturing and 9th
ers have almost empty halls
1t Is somewhat odd that the St Peters,
nurs Medical Academy, the principal med
ical school in Russia, which is under the
management of the war ministry is par-
uc1pating, with the permission of its man
asement, in the protest against the con-
demnatlon of the kieff students to mill
tary service. On January 26 there was a
meeting there which was attended by 800
OF 500 students. 1t declared on principle
for the kief students, and will meet again
tomorrow to take further action. Minister
or war kourapatkine himself giving per-
mission for the meeting to be held This
school enjoys more liberal organization
than the universities.
The intention of the Kieff students to
make demonstration when their com
panions left for military service was frus-
trated by Governor General Dragomroff.
who supplied 200 soldiers to reinforce the
police, and it is said threatened the use
OF naked steel and hot lead. Reports are
circulated about the banishment of three
students to Siberia for posting proclama-
tion in the city.
The strike is more general there than
elsewhere. Only twelve students are re-
ported to have attended the first days
lectures, while 900 congregated idly in the
corridors. the remainder staying at home
Ill-smelling chemicals We're employed in
several instances to compel the cessation
Of lectures.
Indignation Over a Bulletin.
Great Indignation has been aroused in the
ranks of the st. Petersburg students by
bulletin posted in the university by Curator
Sonin. 1t is copied verbatim as material
apit fat in lata of he
graph bulletins that are issued more or
less openly by the students committee. |
Curator Sonin in this bulletin feels conti- |
dent that the mass of the students will not |
Join the obstructionists, but fears the lat
ter will attempt terrorization. He urges |
The students to oppose the terrorists ener-
yetically and unitedly, and declares the |
minister of education is determined to en-
force the military service act unflinchingly. |
many months ago the authorities warned
all students against action either for or
against the agitators, declaring it was the
governments place to maintain order
That the movement is directed in reality
against existing political and social insti-
utfons has already been emphasized A
etter from "A Mother which is printed
n the students bulletin illustrates this 1t
;ays, in part: "Who is guilty when high
landedness attains such shameless and in
;olent cruelty to send 200 students into
he army? Minister Bogolepoff and Spia-
,uine? No, a thousand times, no. We are
guilty; we, slaves, bondmen; we, so-called
Russian society; we who tremble and hush.
We humbly put up without everything that
IN educated community cannot dispense
With; freedom of speech. personal invioa-
'ility, inviolability of residents. For our
humility we allege a humiliating excuse.
Ne are not ripe enough; we hush because
We do not feel our deprivation.
"a man, when he will take away young
nimal cautiously looks around for the
mother. The Bogolepoffs and Sipaguines
10 not look around. Our children can call
IS infanticides to our faces and reproach
Is for their ruined lives. They will be
light, we have deserved it"