The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-02-24
SPEAKING FOR FREEDOM
St. Petersburg University Students Have
Bold Mass-MeetiDg.
THEY DEMAND LIBERTY FOR SPEECH.
Denounce Government and Urge Calling Of
Parlament-PredictT That Russia is on Brink
of a RevoIutIou-flowl Down Professors
Who Try to Soften Their Views-And Join
In Feryid Parade.

St. Petersburg (By Cable) The spir-
it of revolution had complete possession
of the great meeting of professors, stu
dents and directors of the ST. Petersburg
University which assembled Monday to
discuss the question of joining i'll the
general strike inaugurated by similar in
stitutions 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, es-
pecially the Nevsky Prospect and the
neighborhood of the Kazan Cathedral,
| which is always point for student DEM
onstrations.
1t was the first joint meeting of stu
dents and professors ever authorized,
but in view of the gravity of the situa-
ton it was hoped the presence of the
professors, most of whom are in com
plete sympathy with the Liberal move
ment, would exercise restraining in
fuence The meeting was held in the
auditorium of the University, sprawl
ing pile of yellow buildings on Basil
| island, and 1000 students were assem-
bled. The auditorium was packed 10
suffocation with looking young
men and women, and the doorways and
windows embrasureS were banked with
! students, who held others on their Shout
ders.
1t was a strange gathering 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 corner was oc
cupied by the speakers. A bell with
which the student who presided tried
10 stop the thunders of applause with
which the orators were, greeted was conf
pletely unavailing.
From the outset student orators set
the imagination of their auditors atiame
with the spirit of liberty, unsparingly
denouncing the course of the Govern
ment, declaring that promises could no
longer avail, and that the only satisfac-
ton would be freedom of speech, con-
science and the press and the convoca-
ton OF national assembly.
The majority coupled this with a de-
mand for ending the war. Almost every
orator went back to the French Revolt
ton for parallels. Again and again was
Russia declared to be on the eve OF a
revolution.
With burning words one OF the stu
dents described the affair of January %,
which, he said, had at last solicited the
It I'D nj
the workingmen.
Amid storm of cheers he announced
that continuation of study was inn
possible while such struggle was in
progress, and said it was the duty of
the young men there assembled and
others like them to return to their homes
in the provinces and spread the agita-
ton.
Some of the professors tried to stem
the tide with moderate counsels, advis
ing the students to go back to their
studies, but their advice was howled
down.
When Professor Speranzi, one OF the
speakers, revealed the fact that Gov
ernor General Thepof had threatened
not to permit any student who left his
studies to re-enter any OF the big uni
versities, the statement was received
with veritabe howl of rage.
But the speeches in the auditorium
were mild and temperate compared with
those delivered at overflow meetings in
the classrooms, where even the murder
OF Grand Duke Scrgius was glorified.
An attempt OF few reactionary stu
dents to hold an opposition meeting
ended in dismal failure. Less than so
abandoned.
The speeches grew more and more
excited. An address from Italian stu
dents was read. denouncing the tragedy
OF January %. and the general tyranny
OF the bureaucracy ard expressing SYM
pathy with the Russians aspirations 81
liberty.
A portrait OF Emperor Nicholas vas
also taken down from the wall and car
ried in the procession.
The portrait was torn in slight Skin
mish, but this called forth a protest from
the vast majority of those present, who
were careful to avoid even the appear
ance Of disrespect to the Emperor. Mary
proclamations were distributed.
At the conclusion OF tho meeting, alter
the adoption OF a sci OF strong resolu-
iions. the student body, almost by unan-
imous vote. decided 70 suspend all uni-
yersity work until the September meet
ing and dispersed without incidents.
There was no attempt TO make a DEM
cnstration before the kazan Cathedral.
The resolutions demand:
First-A constituent assembly on the
basis of universal suffrage and under
conditions OF liberty OF speech. OF the
press and OF association and the free
dom OF laborerS to strike.
Second-Full amnesty for religions
and political offenders.
Third-Auionomy ior each part Of
the country noS OF Russian nationality.
In conclusion the resolutions cali an
every sclf-rcspccripg citizen 10 struggle
Tor the achievement of the above aims.
To Stop Remarriage Of Divorces.
.II,i..,a ATnnt Snc~;aiN III, f-,.,-,-