Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-08-12
Head Of Russian Army Has
Narrow Escape From Death
at Hands Of TreacherouS
Soldiers.
PL0TTERS' IMPATIENCE
FRUSTRATES CONSPIRACY
In Their Anxiety to Kill Trai-
tors Opened Fire on Com
mander Before They Got
Within Range,

St Petersburg. Aug. ia repre-
sentative of the Associated Press Wis
tied the guard camp at Krasnoye- -Selo
today and ascertalned that. though
several arrests had been made, re-
sponsibility for the shots fired at
Grand Duke Nicholas had not definite
ly been brought home to any particu-
lar culprits.
1t was only after long investiga-
ton that 1t was determined that the
ball cartridges were fired by the First
battalion of sharpshooters, one of the
elite corps of the Russian army. Sus-
picion was directed toward the zone
year volunteers recruits who, i'm con-
sideration of their educational uualif-
cations and social position, escape
with only one year instead of four
years service. Many of these men are
ex-students at universities and are the
principal spreaders Of the revolutions
airy propaganda among the troops
The officers Of the regiments con
cerned are extremely reticent concern
Ing the affair, but from a member of
the grand ducal escort the Associated
Press learned that the incident oc-
Cured during movement of the Is
mailovsky gurd and the guard sharp
shooters against a position held by the
SemiEovsky regiment.
Grand Duke Nish1las was sitting on
a charger and observing the maneuveI
from the top of an entrenchment.
The troops were advancing by short
rushes In open order across a wide
level field, firing blank volleys by
squads as they came. A few yards be-
hind the grand duke was his suite, in
cluding General Zarubaeff, second In
command of the guard corps, adju-
tants and orderlies and several eivili.
ans. including Countess Nirod
Suddenly when the first Echelon OF
the attacking force consisting OF
sharpshooters was from 400 to 500
yards distant, bullet sang high over
head, followed by another and still an
other. The cry was raised "they are
firing ball" and the group was thrown
into great confusion. After frantic
signalling. cease firing was sounded
but the shots continued for some time
Grand Duke Nicholas remarked
when he Joined his suite, at would be
more realistic il the troops always fir
ed ball during maneuvers, but this Is
objectionable negligence"
The attack on the position held by
the Seminovsly regiment was immedi-
ately stopped. The troops were march
ed to their quarters and an investiga
ton was begun. How the conspira-
tors obtained ball cartridges has not
been ascertained as the ammunition
is always called in after the men re-
hIrn frnI1n no Inf htat fe
jectured that cartridges were secured
after the dissolution Of parliament,
when supplies of service ammunition
were Issued in anticipation of trouble,
and that the troops succeeded In hold
ing them out after the collapse of the
strike.
1t appears that the grand duke was
reviewing the maneuyering and put
ting the troops through blank firing
practice when he suddenly was start
led by wasp-like hiss of bullets about
his head. Fortunately neither himself
nor his horse was touched. The COM
mand to cease firing was Immediately
given and the soldiers of the regiment
from which the bullets came were
marched back to their quarters. An
investigation was made and 1t is said
several arrests followed.
1T was no more an accident" said
one of the grand dukes aides, "thal
was the firing of charge of grape
from a saluting battery at the winter
palace on the occasion of the blessing
of the waters of the Neva by the en-
peror a year and half ago"
The bold attempt on the life Of the
grand duke caused an immediate
change In the plans of the emperor
who had arranged to go to Krasnoye'
Selo today.
Fully hundred shots were flred
but the impatience Of the conspiraton
led them to open fire at such O dis.
tance as to Illustrate their object. Be.
fore the maneuvers began all the bal
cartridges were taken from the troops
the officers searching the cartridg'
pouches of soldiers.