The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-31
WAR on AUTOCRACY.
Anarchist kropotkin Tells of the Aims
OF the Russian People.

NEW YORK, March 30.-Prince Peter A.
Kropotkin, the famous Russian Anarchist,
was in this city at the Gerard Hotel, last
night. The first effective blow has been
dealt to autocracy in Russia, said Prince
Kropotkin in discussing the affairs OF his
country. 1T has been struck within the
past fortnight. The ministers OF state
have notified the Car that a law ne pro-
mulgated could not be enforced. This is
the first time it has ever been done. 1t
marks the first step in the progress which
will eventually make of Russia a federal
government such as is that Of the United
States.
This law OF the Emperor's was the
cause of the recent student uprisings in
st. Petersburg. The trouble all arose out
of an incident at the university at Kieff.
A student had become unpleasantly in
volved in some scandal there and the other
students held meetings to decide what
should be done to protect their fellow
student from nOtoriety. The dean Of the
university arrested a number of students
and the matter was reported to the min
lister OF public instruction, who told il all
10 the Gar. The Car Is an irresponsible,
not very clever young man and he prompt
~ Issued an order according TO which all
students who participate in meetings of
any kind will be at once sent to the
army for service of two or three years as
the case may be. At the present time the
1900 university students OF the empire are
exempted from army duty. Under this new
law 1S3 students from the University of
kfeff have been sent to the army. The
new law Is unconstitutional, for while the
Gar may cause a law To be made in one
of two ways, the old law must first be re-
pealed before a new law is made. The old
law exempted students from army service.
IL has not been repealed and the ministers
Of state were not consulted in the forma-
ton of the present obnoxious decree.
4 have a letter from a woman of high
rank in Russia, in which she says the
public prosecutor g. Kieff, the general of
the gendarmes and a military general, who
belongs TO the commission appointed 10
draft the students have joined In a memoir
ial to the Gar, in which they say that it is
impossible TO condemn young men in this
ruthless fashion. The ministers of state
have also taken up the subject. They have
Informed the Gar that his law cannot be
enforced. His decree will not be repealed,
tempted and the Kien students will be
quietly released. 1t is the first time in the
history of Russia that the Car has ever
Prince Kropotkin said he does not think
the Car should be killed. Il believe the
greatest foe. TO autocracy in Russia is
Nicholas H. ne said. He Is so stupid
tina he will make many mistakes. Every
one of those mistakes will weaken his
power and the power of the throne. If L
thought he should be killed / would do my
best TO kill him. 1 do not believe in asking
someone else TO do what you would not do
yourself"
Prince Kropotkin said he did not believe
the Car was responsible for the calling OF
The Hague peace conference. He said he
thought the Pope was at the back of the
whole movement. The Pope had a great
friend at the Russian court" said the
prince, 'in the person of Po~biedonostzeff,
one Of the Cars ministers. The Pope did
not think Emperor William a suitable per-
son to call the conference. So through his
friend he prevailed on the Car TO call il"
Prince Kropotkin says letters that have
come TO him from Russia are 10 the effect
that the general sentiment there Is against
the acquisition OF ManchuTia. He says
Russian public sentiment is broiling. The
Car will be asked from time TO time to
make certain concessions in the direction
OF liberty. He viii not have the good sense
to make all the concessions that are de-
manded, and trouble Will result.