The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-16
GENERAL TREPOFF
DEAD AT PETERHOF
Was in Many Respects a Re-
markabIe Man
LIKE AN EVIL GENIUS
Just When Russia Began to Hope for
Liberation Trepoff Appeared to
Turn Rulers Back to
Despotism.

st. Petersburg. September 15-General
Dmltri Frodovich Trepoff. commandant OF
the Imperial Palace. died at o'clock this
afternoon in his villa at Peterhof of an
gina pectoris.
General Trepoff whose name was link
ed with reaction and oppression in Rus
sia was in many respects a remarkable
man. He was a natural despot, tyrant
by inclination, education and conviction.
He was one of those men who have con-
stantly appeared like evil genuses in Rus
sian history Just at the time when condi-
tlons were most promising for putting an
end to despotism to turn the Russian
rulers from liberalism back into paths of
reaction 1t was he who became the guild
ing spirit of the reaction after Nicholas
II. had issued his famous manifesto in
the fall of 1905 promising the people a
share in the government. Holding the
position of master OF the palace and in
league with the court insriguers who were
determined to restore the old regime. he
constantly had the Emperors ear.
Like his father before him Trepoff was
police master with all that the name
involved in Russia and the story of fa-
ther and son is full of dramatic incl
dents.
The Elder Founding.
The elder was a foundling who his
parents were was never known. He was
found one morning a baby upon the
back doorstep of German family by
whom he was taken In and playfully
given the name of Trepopof German for
doorstep). The father entered the Russian
service as an agent of the famous Third
Circle and distinguished himself as a
member of the secret police. During the
height of the nihillst eonspiracies in the
late 70s 1t was to him that Alexander II.
confded the task of unearthng and run
ming down the terrorists. plotting against
| his life. The fight between liberalism and
reaction then, as later under Trepoff
son, was in full swing, and then as later
the energies of the police were directed
against the student agits tion.
Dmitrl followed his fathers footsteps IN
the police department. He attracted tn,
attention of sergius. the governor gen
eraI of Moscow and the most reactIonary
Of the grand dukes, and by him was
off soon became serglus right arm in
fighting the revolutionary student agita-
tion of which the ancient capital was
the head. Trepoff's life was many times
attempted, but he always escaped.
When the Grand Duke Sergius was as
sassnated he was named governor general
of Moscow. But at that time revolutions
airy agitation was rampant in the capital
Later Trepon was summoned to St
pqfarchttrey nd ertts o A..
Imperial guard and made governor gen.
eral of the city. He took up his resi-
dence in the winter palace and became II
fact II not in name dictator of Russia
Anarchy prevailed when he arrived Al
uprising on large scale was momentarilS
expected. Thousands had fled the city
But with Trepoff in the saddle the aspec
of affairs changed. Troops filled tn,
streets and dead walls were placardet
with notices that the slightest disorder
would be suppressed without mercy. AND
under his iron hand the city became quiet
Plots frustrated.
During those trying weeks plot after
plot to kill him was discovered and frus
trated Two OF his own nieces were In
volved in one conspiracy. In fact the,
attempted to execute the sentence of tn,
| terrorlsts.
But in his dungeon-llke room In the cen
ter of the palace where no bomb coult
reach him, save by shattering dozer
walls. with the telephone constantly a
his side, he issued orders and received
reports.
His personal courage was beyond al
question. He had almost contempt fol
death.
81 am no fool" he said to the Associated
Press correspondent a few days after he
assumed the dictatorship. "I am no foo
to be potted in the street | have work
to do and ! propose to do It. have
given my word to my imperial master to
maintain the tranquility of the city. and ]
will arrange for the preservation of order
| with my life."
| The strain told upon him and during
those memorable six weeks the lines OF
his face deepened and his hair and beard
became streaked with gray. He continued
at his post throughout the summer and
| although there was much political excite.
ment, not single riot occurred.
Trepoff made pretense OF acquiescinR
in the manifesto of October of that year
| and In Whites elevation to the premier.
ship. but In reality he was only awaiting
favorable opportunity to give battle to
the forces Of the new regime. And wher
the orgy Of liberty which followed the
manifesto was in full blast. threatened tc
| sweep away the foundations Of the gov.
ernment. even Witte was glad to turn tc
the great police master to restore order
He accomplished his task and was hailed
by the reactlonaries as the saviour OF the
situation.
Personally Trepoff at this time was q
| handsome man Of about 40. tall. square
shouldered with close cropped hair and
beard, his whole face and figure instinct
with life and alterness.