Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-02-22
STUDENTS ARE :.
y
NOW AROUSED.
Youth of Russia Enters Mighty Pro.
test Against the Reign Of Bureau.
eracy in the Empire.
MAKE DEMAND FOR REFORMS
Decide to Suspend Studies for the Re.
maInder OF the Year-Professors
Take Part in Movement.

SIT. Petersburg, Feb. 81, lao a. M.
With the resolution of the student
body of the great University of st.
Petersburg yesterday to suspend stud
les for the remainder of the Univer-
sty year, almost the whole education
al system of Russia has entered upon
period of stagnation, the protest of
the youth of Russia against the bu-
reaucracy and other governmental
grievances. Other universities of Rus
sia, gymnasia and even grammar
schools, were already on strike, and
the military in various portions of the
empire have been Obliged to resort
to force to restrain school boys of ten
der years who are joining in the gen.
eral movement.
The meeting of st. Petersburg stu
dents, at which over 1900 participat-
ed, besides voting with practical I'M
animlty, to suspend studies until Sep
tember l, adopted a SET of political
resolutions demanding the formation
| OF constituent assembly and char.
acterized the proposed summoning OF
! the zemsky Zobor as Inadequate for
the emergency.
The resolutions, after speaking Of
the progressive decentralization OF
Russia under the influences of the alb
solute regime declare for freedom
OF speech, the press, conscience, the
right of association and assembly and
10 strike, which are described as nec-
| essary conditions for the further pro-
gress Of Russia. The meeting also
unanimously decided to express dis
approval of the governments action
in dealing with the wOrkmen who at
tempted to present their petition to
the emperor on January %, and its
sympathy with the victims of the SOL
diers. A large faction voted in favor
of stopping the war. A strong revOlu-
tionary feeling was manifested, the
red flag was waved, ana the "Marseil-
laise" and other revolutionary songs
were chanted. A large portrait of the
emperor in the great auditorium of
the university, where the meeting was
held, was torn in strips. The police
did not interfere.
Strong forces of police and COssacks
had been posted outside the buildings
to prevent an extended street demon
stratlon, but none occurred.
Professors Take Part.
| Many professors and instructors in
the university We're present at the
meeting, most of whom were in full
sympathy with the objects of the
meeting. A small number of students
who wished to obtain their diplomas
this year made an Intellectual attempt
to stem the general tide.
The few foreign newspa per cores
pondents who were admitted to the
university were impressed with the in.
cendiary character of the meeting
and with the absolute freedom with
which the students, knowing that the
auditorium was filled with government
spies, boldly made themselves liable
TO the charge of treason.
In the minds eye ono could almost
pick out the Mirabeaus and Desmoul-
ins, and possible DantOns and Robes
pieres OF the future. 1t seemed strange,
| with the soldiers outside ready to
crush anything in the nature of a
| street demonstration, that such a
meeting was allowed. II is necessary
| TO explain, however, that under the
law, once meeting is authorized, the
police can not stop it unless the uni
versity directors call them IN.
The speeches grew more and more
excited. An address from Italian stu.
dents was read, denonuncing the trag-
edy of January % and expressing SYM
pathy with the Russians aspirations
for liberty.
| When, shortly after 3 o'clock re-
cess was taken, the whole student
body began singing the Russian Mar
seillaise," which begins:
| You fell, the victims of love of
your country"
| A wild scene followed The stu
dents unfurled a red flag. on which
was written Hail to the constitu.
tional assembly"
With the flag the students began
parading the auditorium and adjoin-
ing corridors. A portrait of Emperor
Nicholas was also taken down from
the wall and carried in the procession.
The portrait was torn in a slight skir-
mish but this called forth a protest
from the vast majority of those pres
ent, who were careful to avoid even
! the appearance of disrespect to the
emperor. Many proclamations were
distributed.
When the meeting reconvened. it
| was ueCiueu W ulNlde On tne question
of joining in the general strike and
vote first on the resolutions explain
ing the motives of the action of the
| students and afterward vote on the
question of the strike.
| At the conclusion of the meeting
after the adoption of set of strong
resolutions. the student body, almost
by unanimous vote. decided to suspend
all university WOrl, until tho Contom.
ber meeting, and dispersed. There