The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18

St. Petersburg, Feb. lS.-An extraor-
.pire has been called to consider the
situation resulting from the assassina-
ytion Of Grand Duke Sergius.
: q Depression like the shadow of doom
seems to be hanging over the Russian
.capital. Bells are tolling and the peo-
pie in the streets are awestrleken at
yesterdays bloody crime. Everyone
ton of what may happen next.
The tragedy struck deep in the heart
of the perplexed and tried emperor, and
many who were unsparing in their criti-
cism yesterday today have only express
sions of sympathy for his unhappy lot.
year has been presented again and
again to his lips is once more filled to
the brim and in almost pathetic words
this morning he implores his subjects
to pray for the repose of the soul Of
his murdered uncle.
Death in the Air.
Death is in the air and no one knows
where the next blow may fall, altho
precautions have been doubled in every
direction for the preservation Of the
lives of the members of the imperial
family, and the ministers and the Sc
cret police are seeking out and arrest
ing those known to be associated with
the fighting organization.
The authorities realize their impo-
tency toward the swift acts of terror
at any instant. The only safety seems
to lie in seeking refuge behind palace
walls, and all the imperial family have
been warned not to venture out.
Halt at Reign Of Terror.
Altho only official papers and the
Grashdanen appear with black borders,
the editorials Of all of them are strange
ly sober. Some papers which in the
past have been ready to lay almost any
charge at the door Of Grand Duke Ser
gius, are drawing back before the pros
pect. Of the Inauguration of a regime
of terror, fearing that it may destroy
the bright prospects of reform and lead
to an era Of repression.
But even in the midst Of universal
reprobation Of the crime, the majority
express the hope that, after all, the
darkest hour comes just before dawn.
Among the revolutionaries, however,
there is sentiment of elation. They
openly glory in the deed, declaring that
it removes the most reactionary infu-
| ence at court and also proclaims the
general theory that in the absence Of
armed resistance, only by terror can
concessions be wrung from the hands
of the autocracy. According to their
view, any weapon is justifable.
Everything at standstill.
It is too early yet to say what the
political effect will be. For the mo-
ment everything is at a standstill.
The assassination undoubtedly was the
work of the fighting Organization Of the
1ofI Init ,Sa1,
condemned and executed Count Bobri-
tkoff, governor general of Finland, and
MN. Sipiaguine and won Plehve, minis
| ter of the interior. It is regarded as
direct challenge from the terrorists to
the autocracy and revival Of the IA
nous duel between nihilists and the gov
eminent of twenty five years ago.
The death of the Grand Duke Sergius
| just at the time when the forces of lib
eralism were again in the supremacy
and when the summoning of the zemsky
tabor was actually assured, meets with
universal disapprobation of the extreme
socialists, who denounce the crime equal
! " as much as do the liberals and con-
lservatives.
Reforms Decided Upon.
According to high authority, the de-
Ecision had been already taken officially
4 60 summon GuCs L0mShy IdDOT vi GU. Ikss
1 NJ. Souorin, the editor of Novoe Vrem-
va, said to the Associated Press last
night:
TT do not believe this crime can now
interfere with the carrying out of re-
/ form to which the government is too far
committed. am certain the zemsky
tabor will soon be announced and as
sembled without. awaiting the terminus
! ton Of the war. -
Prince Shirinski Schamathof, who had
an audience of Emperor Nicholas at the
lTsarskoe Selo yesterday, was frankly
i told by the emperor that the zemsky
; tabor would be elected, under class
! Continued on I'd Page, 1st Column.