The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-28
POLICE ARE
POWERLESS.
Cannot Cope With RevOlutiOnists
at st. Petersburg.
TerrOrists Are Growing BOlder
In Their Methods.
IN CONSTANT FEAR.
Grand Dukes Don't KNOWN hose
Turn Is Next.
Certain That Work of Assassin
alton VIII Proceed.
IN CONSTANT FEAl

ST. Petersburg, Feb. 2s.-The utter
fmpotency of the police in the face of
the terrorist organization is shown
by the increasing boldness of the lat
ter all over st. Petersburg Even on
the steps of the public buildings simple
notices of Grand Duke Sergius' death
were found. They read:
1.-The sentence of death passed upon
Sergius Aiexandrovitch was executed
February 1.-THE Fighting Organiza-
fion of the Social Democratic Party
Moreover, the notices were neatly
printed, a thing unknown in the days
of the late Interior Minister Won
Plehve. when similar notices were
always run off on copying machines.
The secret police then were too close
on the heels of the terrorists to permit
the use Of a printing press
The Grand Duchess Marie Pavlovna,
whose husband. the Grand Duke
Vladimir. is high on the list of those
condemned to death, is trying to shield
his life with her own. Since Red Sun
day the grand duke has not once been
showered with threats and warnings,
but has twice received from abroad
formal letters signed by different
groups informing him of his sentence
to death and of the assignment of men
TO execute it. At the same time the
Duchess Eliza beth, in the case of
Grand Duke Sergius, was notified that
her life and her sons lives would be
spared, and she was appealed to not
The letters naturally terrorized the
family and household of the grand
duke who has aged greatly during the
last rev weeks under the strain of what
he insists is the unjust criticism which
places the responsibility for the blood
shed of January % wholly on his
shoulders Although the grand dukes
health had been failing for over year
he is now almost a complete wreck. |
For time the entreaties of his family |
and the warnings OF the police suf- |
fered to keep him within the walls Of
the palace but since the funeral of 4
Grand Duke Sergius, Grand Duke 1
Vladimir has shaken off restraint. de-
Claring that he refuses to show !
a closed carriage but on Sunday
walked for short time up and down !
the quay in front of the winter palace.
At his side, however, on each accession
was the Grand Duchess Marie PavIov-
ma The grand duke tries to eiude
her. but she insists on being imme-
diately apprised if he goes out. don
ming wraps and accompanying him.
Today Grand Duke Vladimir re-
ceived a letter from one group which
had previously warned him. saying
pended. which is attributed either to
a more correct appraisement of his
share in the events of January p or
to a general decision of the terrorists
to give the autOcracy a breathing
spell and await the result of the
assassination of Grand Duke Sergius.
The latter comedies with the views of
those acquainted with the methods of
the terrorists, who point out that a
succession of assassinations would de-
feat their object by compelling the
emperor in the interest Of the safety
of the imperial family to thrust aside
all questions of concessions and to
sanction the most drastic measures of
repression.
Effort to Breake Strike.
St Petersburg. Feb. 2S.-2:15 a. M
is embarrassed by the internal situa-
tion is made manifest by the exception
al measures inaugurated to break the
railroad strike on lines vital for the
transportation of provisions. troops and
munitions The demands of the men
In the matter of wages have been grant
ed on government roads. and the same
point has been conceded in the case of
employees of government arsenals and
arms and munitions factories In addi-
tion. a statute has been found under
which striking railroad employees in
time OF war are subject to arrest and
punishment by martial law and Prince
Hilkoff. minister of railroads and COM
munication has formally notified all
railroad strikers of the penalty under
this law if they interfere with military
trains. Preparations are being made to
man the Moscow -Brest line. which must
be kept open. with soldiers trained for
the operation of railroads There are
several such battalions in the Russian
army, and these are being recruited to
double their ordinary strength.
Kieff. Feb. 2T.-The maid servants OF
this city went on strike today and pa
raded the streets Cossacks were called
out and dispersed them. arresting many.
Laws to Be Revised.
St Petersburg, Feb. 2S.-Count Alexis
Ignatieff. a member of the council of
the empire has been appointed presi- /
dent of the special conference for the
revision of the exceptional laws design
ed for safeguarding public order The
committee of ministers has come to the
conclusion that the Jewish restrictive
laws. the methods of dealing with 20
litical agitators and similar special
measures do not effect the desired re-
suit. Therefore with the approval of
the emperor a revision has been decid- !
ed upon.