Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-03-19
SAS0NEFF TELLS THE
STORY OF HIS CAREER
Assassin Of Minister Won PleINe's Explains
How He Became One OF the Fighting
Section OF the Social Dem
oCratic Party.

Correspondence Associated Prcss.)
ST. PETERSBURG. March 1S-Rc-
fore Sasoneff the assassin OF Minis
ter of the Interior Won Plehve, was
brought to trial he composed a lengthy
statement which he intended to pre-
sent to the judges rs a justification IF
his ac;. His lawyer at the time IN
formed the Associated Press that the
document alone proved Sasoneff was
not only a man OF superior intellect,
but deep thinker Owing to the lin
tied time allowed at the trial Sasonetf
was unable to read the document tc
the judges, being obliged to content
himself with brief oral statement.
The document which, however. was
made part of the record in the case
has now fallen into the hands of the
Associated Press and aside from ita
remarkable character proves especial
~ interesting at this time as it sets
forth the views and aims of the Fight
ing Organization of the social revolu-
tionary party which has just brought
about the death of the Grand Duke
Sergius. 1t shows clearly that acts of
Sanization are in the execution Of sen
fences passed upon officials and others
held responsible for fighting with
cruel repression the peaceful propa.
sanda Of the larger party. The acts
for which Won Plehve was condemned
are given in detail. But perhaps the
most interesting portion Of the state
ment IS the pathetic personal biogra-
ply of SaSOneff and the analysis Of the
mental process-by which he gradually
grew interested in political actions be-
coming an advocate of socialism and
later being driven by sufferings in ex-
lie into the ranks OF tho terrorsts by
whom he was chosen to kill Won
Plchvc
.Sasoncif's statement follows:
Aims of Fighting Section.
Il am accused of playing an active
role IN the Fighting Section Of the So
cial Democrats, which tits said has as
its aim to overthrow the present form
OF government and the established
laws OF Russia. and the existing social
conditions of Russia.
* am accused of using explosives
for numbering officials OF the State,
and
Il am accused OF having killed tho
minister of interior, Plehve, to attain
The ends OF the Social Democrats.
ITO these accusationsrI can answer:
Yes. I was a member of the Social
leevolutionists and had the honor Of
being a member OF the Fighting Sec
stion of the Social Democrats, and by
the latter's orders | killed Plehve.
60 not consider either the society or
myself guilty. OF the intentions OF
which we are accused, viz to by
force attempt the overthrow OF the ex-
istinS form of government and the SO
cial conditions OF the country. The
society has no such large aims as to
overthrow the form Of autocratic gov
crnment in Russia.
First Of all must state that one
cannot say that the Fighting Section
lis a secret society in the usual sense
Of the word. The Fighting Organiza
ton is not a separate body. but only a
part of the big partS5of Social Revolu-
tionists. and the Fighting OrganiZa.
the larger society Therefore. it is not
possible to talk about the Fighting Or.
ganiZaton alone. but one must also in.
cludc the party of Social Revolution
lists.
I When Terrorists Act.
II cannot say that it is BY means OF
the activity of the Fighting Organiza
ton that the Social Revolutionists
wish to do away with the antocratic
form of government or even the pres
ent social conditions of Russia, nor is
it by means OF terroristic acts that
they intend to gain their ends, but
there is one thing which the party
meets by terroristic acts carried out
by members Of the Fighting Organiza
ton and that is to answer by armed
attack those acts of the government
where the lives and honor Of Russian
citizens. are not spared not to speak OF
the life and honor Of the Russian revo
3 lutionists. 4,
We are not a party Of force Our
party is in principle against all forms
Of force ana attaining their aims by
force. The ideals of heSparty, as are
also the means by which they agitate
for their ideals. are all of peaceful
character. How much the ideals Of
the Social Reyolutionists are peaceful
is shown from the fact that the gov
eminent laws do not forbid the entry
into5the country OF many, books Of so
Is cialistic nature. tits not We who agi
S tate amongst the various: classes of SO
Sciety. The agitation arises without
our help It's not we who made the
y classes and they are not one Whole
and with one interest. AS many as
there arc in society different groups
of inhabitants with different means q
5$s8cY MS tcnce, 50 many are there differcn