Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-29
THE PRESS ON PLEHVE
st. Petersburg Papers Discuss
the Assassination.
INQUIRY PROCEEDING
OFFICIALS CAREFULLY GUARD
ING ALL INFORMATION.
Indications That There Was a Great
Conspiracy -. Arrangements for
Funeral-Talk About Successor.

ST. PETERSBURG, July 29.-The news
papers this morning are filled with long ac-
counts of the assassination of Minister of
the Interior Won Plehve, biographical
sketches of the dead statesmen and COM
ments on his character as a man. All the
papers agree that a great personality has
been taken off in the midst of his work.
The Novoe Vremya says: m. Won Plehve
was strong, intellectual man. but, most of
all, he had thorough insight and knew
well what particular features were wanting
to make up a true balance of Russian ma
tional life.
The Russ declares that the dead minis
ter's faithful name will live in connection
with agricultural and peasant life, and that
1t is infinite pity he was taken off in the
midst of his work, leaving his plans all un-
perfected.
The Novosti says: m. Won Plehve was a
great man with (. passion for order, which
was shown in his handling of every problem
thrown in his way His ability to deal with
perplexing questions touching all classes of
society which fell into his hands evidenced
his wonderful strength and versatility. His
death is a loss to our national life
The Official Messenger says: His death Is
all irreparable loss to all truly patriotic
throne and the fatherland. He was intel
lectual and of firm viii, not sparing HIM
self in health, strength or private interests
where public duty was concerned. He dld
not accomplish all he set out to do, stu
his name must be handed. down on the list
Of the great and true servants OF his couh-
try
Antecedents of Assassin.
Nothing has yet been discovered to throw
any light on the antecedents Of Legio, the
assassin.
Twenty by-standers were injured by the
explosion of the bomb, but only seven Of
them were seriously hurt.
The newspapers print unusually full ana
free accounts of the crime having been OF
ficially notified that no restriction Will De
placed on news or comment save as they
might interfere with the work OF the ponce
in unravelng the conspiracy back or the
crime, which work is already well under
way
Funeral on July 81.
The funeral of Won Plehve has been
definitely fixed for July 3D. Requiem
masses will be celebrated daily at pm.
and pm. The son and daughter OF the
deceased were present at the mass ceie-
brated this afternoon. The emperor is
expected to attend this evenings service.
Conspiracy Far Reaching.
Later the correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press learned that while the iden-
tity and nationality Of the assassin and
his accomplice are still not definitely es-
tablished the police are making progress
In unraveling the skein. They are amazed
to find how far-reaching was the conspi
racy. There is nothing yet, however. to
prove it's connection with that of Ger
schunin. The documents found show the
existence of a wholesale plot to murder
ministers, but the most remarkable fea-
ture is that it did not include the en-
peror, who is distinctly declared to be
"uninvolVed."
Accomplice Captured.
The capture of the accomplice of the
murderer was effected under circum-
stances showing that the conspirators
pursued the very plan followed at the
time of the assassination Of Alexander
II. The accomplices then were posted at
several street corners in order that II one
same plan was adopted yesterday. The
accomplice who is now under arrest stood
bomb In case tse STA
toned half mile higher up the canal
. The former could watch the course OF
events and when he heard the explosion he
was satisfied that the murder had been ac-
complshed and hastily went down the
canal side. hired boat for so kopecks per
for a row toward the sea, away from the
scene of the tragedy.
Boatman Causes Arrest.
The boatman noticed soon after they
started that his passenger took cardboard
box out of his pocket and dropped it quick
ly overheard. The boatman said nothing
but when the passenger landed he called
policeman and gave the man in charge.
The prisoner, who was respectfully dressed,
spoke Russian with foreign accent lie
refused to give his name. Divers are now
searching the canal bottom for the pre-
sumed bomb.
The assassin walked up and down the
street, at the corner whence he threw the
bomb. at least quarter of an hour, await
ing Won Plehve's carriage. He did not
arouse the slightest suspicion on the part
of several policemen who were almost
alongside of him. because he wore an off,
cial (railroaO cap. uniform of any kind
invariably inspires confidence in Russia.
Knew Plehve's Carriage.
The murderer must have known Won
Plehve's carriage we'll, as he paid no atten-
ton to the passage Of several other min
listers who had preceded Won Plehve in 60
ing to Peterhof. AS soon as the victims
carriage appeared the assassin ran forward
with the evident intention of throwing the
bomb through the window. Won Plehve
doom before the th-dealing charge burst
Had the cyclist detective accompanying the
minister ridden straight he might have
knocked down the murderer and saved the
minister's life at the cost of his own, but
the cyclist instinctively swerved enabling
the assassin to launch the Internal machine
after retarding the carriage.
Relic of the Tragedy.
The correspondent of the Associated Press
was shown a sad relic of the tragedy-the
battered remnants of the deceased min
ister's portfolio. which was lying in front
of his seat. The upper portion was reduced
to pulp and the lower part was complete
!y riddled with the nails with which the
bomb was stuffed.
Won Plehve and several of the other min
isters We're to travel to Peterhof yesterday
IN the same compartment. M. Murav,eff
the minister of justice, and Count Protasofr-
Bakhmetieff, member of the council OF
minister's. were on the train, wondering at
Won Plehve's absence, when they heard the |
explosion and later received news that their
colleague had been assassinated. The min
listers hurriedly left the train and drove to |
the scene of the explosion, NJ Muraviefr |
being ex-onicio grand procurator. was ac-
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