New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-07

giving in full. 1t published in the Russ
kja Wjedomostt' newspaper. and is here given
in English for the first time far the writer
knows:
The movement which found expression in the
strikes of the students OF the high schools has
also aroused the sympathy Of the st. Petersburg
Conservatory, Which must also be counted
among the high schools in view of it's aim to
give the highest order Of musical instruction.
In the beginning of the movement I, with few
of my comrades, sought by word and deed 10
turn it into the paths Of peace and to quiet the
mood OF the students. But as the movement
continually grew the conservatory was closed
Ill February 2S At the council Of artists
held on February "a, with twenty-siX other
teachers we voted to close the conservatory till
September I. Nevertheless the end of the period
Of closure was set for March 10 by direction OF
the st. Petersburg branch of the Imperial Rus
sian Music Society Anticipating the inevitable
disturbances which would follow the opening Of
the Observation-Disclosures which would
render normal progress In instruction impos-
sible-I insisted again that the conservatory re-
main closed until September l, as the majority
of the artists council had ordained. Now that
the strike Of the high schools is accom-
plished fact, calling for the Intervention not
only OF the professors but even the government,
the conservatory, under the direction Of the
directors Of the music society, has taken
isolated position among all the high schools and
decided, in spite of the decree Of the artists
council, TO resume instruction on March 10
The consequences which had been fOreseen
were not slow IN coming. After II o'clock to-
day the conservatory surrounded by the
police, who dispersed the students who
seeking entrance to the building. Admission to
the conservatory was granted only to stu
dents who had cards for which they had ap-
piled in advance on their expressed wish to
sumo instruction. An inflnitesimal minority Of
the students made their appearance-less than
ten. So 1t was again to-day; so 1t will be to-
morrow, day after tomorrow, and on. The
striking students turned to the mercy
or the police. while the others taken into pro-
lection. Is profitable progress in instruction
conceivable under such conditions? / consider
IL impossible. Numerous other teachers of
the same opinion. The directorate of the con-
observation-disclosures, inspectors, board of direc-
tors of the music society--is Of different opln-
ion, and seems unaffected by the things that are
making thought for the government. Is any
kind Of musical progress possible in an instttu-
ton In which the rules of the artists council
are treated with Indifference, in an institution in
which the artist faculty is subordinated to the
observation-disclosures is q small circle or dilettanti--
in institution in which the director is not
elected for period, but exists as an 1rremov-
able authority; in an institution which has not
the least concern about the fate of its students?
All the regulations Of the conservatory and ac-
tons Of its administration / consider untimely.
inartistic and harsh from moral point OF View.
and feel it TO be nls duty to enter my protest.
Public sympathy was greatly stirred by the
dismissal of the greatest living Russian must
clan from a simple professorship. Fellow
professors in other schools in st. Peters
burg TO the number OF 131. sent him
address expressing their sympathy and ad-
miration. aud there followed the designations