New-York tribune., 1905-02-21
THE IMPERIAL UNIVERSITY AT ST PETERSBURG.

mild and temperate. compared with those deliv-
cred at the overflow meetings in the class rooms
where even the murder of Grand Duke sergius
was glorifed. An attempt Of a few reactionary
students TO hold opposition meeting ended in
dismal failure. Fewer than fifty students re-
sponded to the call. and the meeting aban-
doned.
The few foreign newspaper correspondents
who were admitted TO the university were
amazed at the incendiary character Of the meet
ing and the absolute freedom with which the
students boldly made themselves liable to the
charge of treason, knowing, they did, that
the hall filed with government spies. In
the minds eye one could almost pick out the
Mirabeaus and Desmoulinses. and possibly Dan
tons and Robespierres Of the future. It seemed
strange. with the soldiers outside ready to crush
anything in the nature OF street demonstra-
tion that such a meeting allowed It is
necessary to explain, however. that under the
law when meeting has been authorized the
police cannot stop it unless the university direc-
tors call them in.
ITALIAN MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY.
The speeches grew more and more excited. An
address from Italian students read, de-
nouncing the tragedy of January % and the
general tyranny OF the bureaucracy, and ex-
pressing sympathy with the Russians aspira-
tions for liberty. When shortly after o'clock
a recess was taken, the whole student body be-
gan singing the Russian ''Marseillaise," which
begins
You fell victims OF love Of your country
wild scene followed. The students unfurled
a red flag on which was written: Hail to the
Constituent Assembly," With this flag the stu
dents began parading the auditorium and ad-
joining corridors.
4 portrait Of Emperor Nicholas was also taken
down from the wall and carried in the process
sion. The portrait torn in a slight skir-
Inish, but this called forth protest from the
vast majority of those present who were care
full 10 avoid even the appearance of disrespect
TO his majesty. Many proclamations were dis
tributed.
When the meeting reconvened it was decided
to vote first on the resolutions explaining the
motives Of the action of the students. and af-
terward to vote on the question Of the general
strike leader of the Social Revolutionary
party made a speech. in which ne said:
From the height OF the throne was heard the
appeal for confidence in the people but the
period Of hope lasted only a few months. IN a
little while the government returned to the good
old methods of the lash. An autocratic regime
is inconsistent with the first principles of jus
tice. The minute the proletariat Of intelligence
joins hands, the knelI Of autocracy is sounded
At the conclusion of the meeting, after the
adoption of a set of strong resolutions, the stu
dent body by an almost unanimous vote de-
cided TO suspend all university work until the
September meeting, and dispersed without in
cidents.
The text of the preamble and the resolutions
adopted by the meeting follow:
Effete Russian absolutism is drawing daily
nav hourly-to its Inevitable doom Powerless
to cope with an awakened people, in its agony
II devises measure more ridiculous than
another and one method more reckless than an
1a1o re a
criminal adventure in the Far East which mas
cost the people tens of thousands Of lives and
goal the intelligence of the students has long
conducted a stubborn fight to obtain the most
elementary human rights, often falling talntlAs
before the brutal force OF an unbr1dled govern
nent until at last the proletariat entered tne
historic arena, and at the same III IIne as IL
came to the knowledge Of itself, dealt Czardon
the heaviest blows
The recent bloody events have clearly shown
what absolutism is capable OF IN defence OF us
pitiful shameful existence. The sincere, fra
ternal harmonious action of the proletarlat on
those days of January signed the death warrant
Of absolutism and without doubt insured the
speedy political liberation OF Russia
We, as a section Of the educated community
conscious of our goal, welcome the solidarity OF
workmen, and put forward the following de-
Inands:
First-Summoning a legislative assembly on
the basis of a universal, equal and secret ballot
Of male and female citizens; freedom of Speech
freedom of the press; freedom OF organization
and OF striking.
Second-Amnesty for all who have been pun
ished for their political religious convictions
Third-The fact of belonging to any particular
nationality shall not prejudice political rights.
Further as a guarantee against interference or
the Russian government in the free execution oL
these demands. peoples militia must immedl-
afeIv be formed in whose ranks all citizens can
fight to realize aspirations.
Pacopnizing the Significance Of this historical
moment when Russia is emerging from period
of ferment into open revolt and when every one
has only one end in view we cannot pursue our
s+11dies and therefore suspend them until Sep
+ernber 13 BY that time events Will have rur-
nished new material for the solution OF these
questions.
In conclusion the resolutions call on every /
saIf--esnecting citizen to struggle for the
achievement OF the above aims.
After the meeting broke up a band OF the |
more violent students tore up the Emperors /
nortrait stripped and demolished the frame, and
carried off bits of canvas and gts1ing as souve- I
r.Irs - "a = /