The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-16
Political Demands Formulated at a
Meeting, Which Was Broken
Up by the Police.
RADICAL REFORMS ASKEI
ABOUT 500 OF THE DEMONSTRATING
STUDENTS ARRESTED.
Fifteen VIII BE ExiIed to Siberia and
the Others Will BE Banished
to Interior villages.

Correspondence Of the Associated Press.
ST. PETERSBURG, March 15.-Private
letters received here referring to the re-
cent Moscow University meeting. confirm
the view that those of the students who
do not participate in the disturbances from
American college boy "cane-rush" motives
that is, those who have conscientious
aims-are actuated by political, rather than
academic considerations The number pres
ent at the Moscow meeting was given at
SIS. The departure of about 100 who disap-
proved of the general politics was followed
by the unanimous adoption of the follow
ing resolution:
''As the present abnormal situation OF
the higher educational institutions is merely
a consequence of the general absence OF
civil and political rights in Russia, we
desire to do away with the Illusion that
ours is purely academic struggle and TO
inscribe on our banner, General Political
Demands. We are convinced that a nor
NAL academic life requires a total reform
of the whole political system on the basis
of the recognition of individual liberty.
Without such 4 reform we are convinced
that Russia will not make single step
forward as her best men periodically
torn from society. We demand:
"First-Personal, corporal liberty (habeas
corpus and similar guarantees are meant)
'Second--Freedom Of the press.
"Thlrd-FreedOm of conscience.
'Fourth-Unrestrained privilege of
"Fifth-Responsibility of administrative
officials TO the courts on the same terms as
other citizens.
education.
'Seventh-Equaiity of nationalities."
The list could be extended but the above
will suffice To characterize all the demands.
The police and military arrested all pres
ent. At a. m. the students had resolved
10 stay all night in order TO continue the
demonstration on the street on the follow
: T.
Moscow on the day of this meeting, as
given by the Students Bulletin. an illegal
AT Moscow a student named Konnopasse-
vich committed suicide three days before
the meeting. Under what circumstances
Messenger, which published the account of
his death.
WANT A CONSTITUTION.
The pOlitico-academic situation was thus
summed up a few days ago by sympa-
thizer with the students: 1T has now
come TO pass that there can be no univer-
sites or higher institutions for the training
OF the servants OF the state without con-
stitutiOn."
lit is apparently useless to argue with
such persons that while a constitution
might be a good thing, higher education
is also a good thing. They declare that
never Will be any political progress. and
that If the untrammeled students do not
lead the movement nobody will. In spite of
their political unripeness the students COM
mand the sympathies of wide circles by
their courage. They harbor no illusions
whatever. They know that they will be
crushed and that many will be crushed
after them before perceptible advantages
are gained. They appear quite willing 10
fall beneath the wheels Of the car Of the
juggernaut. TO their own phrase, for
the sake of happier generations TO come.
Willing martyrs 10 an idea, they are uni
VerSally defiant opponents, and IL is a mat
ter of egret TO those who do not sympa-
thize with the revolutionary and general
political tendencies OF the students that
the government in many ways places
pons in their hands.
One OF the most infiammatory circulars
that has recently been issued reprinted an
alleged secret circular OF the minister of
public instruction. dated in October, in
structing teachers in the intermediate
schools To give subjects for literary
compositions topics that would naturally
elicit the political tendencies of their
charges. a record was 10 be made OF such
observations end confidential report was