Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-20
REVOLUTION IS RIFE
Students, Professors and Di-
rectors in Joint Session
ST. PETERSBURG TODAY
GREAT DEMONSTRATION OF SYM
PATHIZERS WITH WoRKMEN.
Imperial Family Ask Gear for Protec-
tion, but Object to ANY Conces-
sions to Reformers.

pect today when the students, pro-
fessors and directors of the unlvcr-
sity met and decided to close the
institution until next fall.
The immense gathering was a
unit in its sympathy with the strlk-
ing workmen and revolutionists,
and the speeches partook OF high
ly incendiary character.
A st. Petersburg cablegram also
says that while members OF the im-
perial family want the car to pro-
vide for their safety they protest
against any concessions to the re-
formers.
ST PETERSBURG, February 90, $40
p.m.-1'he spirit of revolution had COM
plete possession of the great meeting OF
professors, students and directors of the
st. Petersburg University which assembled
today to discuss the question of Joining in
the general strike inaugurated by similar
Institutions in Russia and decided to close
the university till fall. In anticipation OF
possible trouble when the meeting broke
up squadrons of Cossacks again paraded
the streets especially the Nevsky prospect
and the neighboThood of the kaZan Cathe-
dral. which is always a point for student
demonstra tions.
1t was the first joint meeting of students
and professors ever authorized, but. in view
of the gravity Of the situation, it was hoped
the presence of the professors, most OF
whom in complete sympathy with the
liberal movement, would exercise a
straining influence. The meeting was held
in the auditorium of the university,
sprawling pile of yellow buildings Basil
Island, Neva Hall, being comparatively
small and incapable of holding one-ffth OF
the four thousand students assembled.
Auditorium Was Packed.
The auditorium was packed to suffocation
with earnest-looking young men and women
and the doorways and window embrasures
were banked with students who held others
on their shoulders 1t was strange gath
ering Most of The students were poorly
clad, and all were in state of intense ex-
element their very eyes burning with zeal.
A small rostrum in a corner occupied
by the speakers.
A bell with which the student who pre-
sided tried to stop the thunders of applause
completely unavailing. From the outset
student orators set the imagination of their
auditors alame with the spirit of liberty,
unsparingly denouncing the course of the
government, declaring that promises could
no longer avail and that the only satisfac-
tion would be freedom of speech, con-
science and the press and the convocation
of Il national assembly.
Demanded Ending of War.
The majority coupled this with a demand
for ending the war. Almost every orator
went back to the French revolution for par
allels. Again and again was Russia de-
clared to be on the eve of revolution.
With burning words one of the students de-
scribed the affair of January %. which, he
said. at last had solidifed the interests Of
the liberals and those Of the working men.
Amid a storm of cheers he announced
that continuation of study was impossible
while such Il struggle in progress, and
said it was the duty of the young men
there assembled and others like them TO
turn to their homes in the provinces and
spread the agitation.
Some OF the professors tried to stem the
tide with moderate counseIs advising the
students to go back to their studies but
their advice was howled down.
Howled at Trepoff's Threat
When Prof Speranzi. one OF the speak
ers revealed the fact that Governor GEN
eral Trepoff had threatened not to permit
any student who left his studies to re-enter
any of the big universities the statement
was received with a veritable howl OF rage.
But the speeches in the auditorium were
mild and temperate compared with those
delivered at the overflow meetings in the
class rooms, where even the murder of
Grand Duke Sergius was gloritied. An
attempt of a few reacuonary students to
hold opposition meeting ended in a dis
mai failure. Less than fifty students
sponded 20 the call and the meeting was
abandoned.
Incendiary Speeches.
The few foreign newspaper correspondents
who were admitted to the university were
amazed at the incendiary character of the
meeting and the absolute freedom with
which the students, knowing that the audi
torium was fllled with government spies.
boldly made themselves liable to the charge
OF treason. In the minds eye one could
almost pick out the Mira bcaus and Des-
moulns and possibly Dantons and Robes
pierres of the future.
Respected Cars Portrait.
4 portrait of Emperor Nicholas was also
taken down from the wall and carried in
the procession.
The portrait was torn in a slight skir-
mish. but this called forth a protest from
the vast majority of those present, who
were careful to avoid even the appearance
or dlsrespect 10 the emperor. Many procla-
nations were distributed
W hen the meeting reconyened Il was de-
cided to divide on the question of joining
IN the general strike and vote first on the
resolutions explaining the motives of the
action of the students, and afterward vote
on the question of the strike.
Soldiers Were Passive.
1t seemed strange, with the soldiers out
side ready to crush anything In the nature
of street demonstration, that such a meet
Ing was allowed. 1t is necessary to explain,
however, that under the law once a meet
ing Is authorized the police cannot stop 1t
unless the university directors call them in
The speeches grew more and more excited
An address from Italian students was read
denouncing the tragedy of January % and
the general tyranny Of the bureaucracy and