The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-20
FIERY SPEECHES MADE.
Course Of the Government Is De-
nOunced Unsparingly.
Demand Made for the Ending Of
the War.
Red Flag Unfurled and the Mar.
seillaise Sung.


The spirit of revolution had scom-
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 inagurated by similar institu-
tions 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 neighborhood
of the Kazan cathedral, which is al
ways a point for student demonstra-
tions.
1t was the first joint meeting of
students and professors ever author
lied, but in view of the gravity of the
situation it was hoped the presence Of
the professors, most of whom are in
complete sympathy with the liberal
movement, would exercise g. restrain
ing influence. The meeting was held
in the auditorium of the university a
spraWling pile of yellow buildings on
BAIL island, Neva hall being COM
paratively small and incapable of
holding one-hfth of the 1000 students
assembled. The auditorium was pack
ed to suffocation with earnest looking
young men and women and the door
ways and window embrazures were
banked with students who held others
1t was a strange catherine. Most of
the students were poorly clad and all
were in state of intense excitement.
their very eyes burning with zeal. A
small rostrum in a corner was occupied
by the speakers. A bell with which the
student VINO presided tried to stop the
thunders of applause with which the
orators were greeted was completely
unayaiiinE. From the outset student ora
tors set the imagination OF their audi
tors afiame with the Spirit of liberty,
unsparingly denouncing the course of
the government, declaring that promises
could no longer avail and that the only
satisfaction would be freedom of speech,
conscience and the press and the convo-
cation Of a national assembly. The ma
jority coupled this with demand for
ending the war. Almost every orator
went back to the French revolution for
parallels. Again and again was Russia
declared to be on the eve Of revolution.
With burning words one of the stu
dents described the affair of January %,
which he said had at last solidified the
interests of the liberals and those OF
the Worlxingnan. Amid a storm of
cheers he announced that a continual
ton of study was impossible while such
struggle was in progress, said it was
the duty Of the young men there assem-
bled and others Ike them to return to
their homes in the provinces and spread
the agitation.
Some of the professors tried to stem
the tide with moderate counsels advis-
ing the students to go back to their stu
dies but their advice was hoWIed down.
When Prof. Spranzi, one of the
spea kers, revealed the fact that Gov
ernor General Trepon had threatened
not to permit any student who left his
studies to re-enter any of the big uni
versitfes, 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 muir
der of Grand Duke Sergius was glori-
fed. An attempt of few reactionary
students to hold an opposition meet
ing ended in a dismal failure. Less
than fifty students responded to the
call and the meeting was abandoned.
The few foreign newspaper corre-
spondeAts who were admitted to the
university were amazed at the incen-
diary character of the meeting and the
absolute freedom with which the stu
dents, knowing that the auditorium was
filled with government spies, boldly
made themselves liable to the charge
of treason. In the minds eye one
could almost pick out the Mirabeaus
and Desmoulins and possibly DantonS
and Robespierres of the future.
It seemed strange with the soldiers
outside ready to crush anything in the
nature of a street demonstration, that
such q meeting was allowed. 1t is nee
essarv to explain, however, that under
the law once a meeting is authorized
the police can not stop 1T unless the
university directors call LneTn IN. Ine
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 expressing sympathy
with the Russians aspirations for lib
erty.
When shortly after 3 o'clock recess
was taken the whole student body be-
gan singing the Russian Marseillaise,
''You fell victims Of love of your coun-
A wild scene followed. The students
unfurled a red flag on which was writ
ten: Hail to the constituent assem-
bly,"
with this flag the students began pa
rading the auditorium and adjoining
corridors.
A portrait of Emperor Nicholas was
also taken down from the wall and car
ried in the procession. The portrait was
torn in a slight slSirmish but this called
forth a protest from the vast majority
of those present who were careful to
avoid even the appearance of disrespect
to the emperor. Many proclamatfons
were distributed
When the meeting reconvened It was
decided 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 afterwards vote on the question Of
the strike