Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-09-21
WAS COMMANDER OF IMPERIAL
PALACE AT ST. PETERSBURG.
This Remarkable Tyrant Dies a Nat
ural Death-Guiding Hand Of the
Reaction after Nicholas II Issued
His Famous Manifesto in 1905
Giving People Share in Government.

commandment OF tne imperial palace,
died in his villa at Peterhof, Russia,
of angina pectoris.
General Trepoff. whose name was
indelibly linked with repression in
Russia. was remarkable man. He
was a natural despot, tyrant by in
clination, education and conviction.
He was one OF those men who have
constantly appeared in Russian his
tory just at the time when conditions
we're most promising for putting an
end to despotism to turn Russian rul- |
ers from liberalism to reacLIon.
1t was he who became the guiding |
spirit of the reaction after Nicholas II |
had issued his manifesto in the fall |
of 1905, promising the people a share
in the government. Holding the posi-
ton of master of the palace, in league
with the court intriguers who were
determined to restore the old regime,
he constantly had the emperor's ear.
Like his father before him, Trepoff
was a police master, and the story of
father and son was full of dramatic
incidents. The elder was founding.
Who his parents were was never
known. He was found one morning
on the back doorstep of a German
family, by whom he was playfully
named Trepoff, after the German word
for doorstep. The father distinguish
ed himself as a member of the secret
police. During the height of the nj
hilst conspiracies, in the '70s, it was
to him that Alexander II confided the
task of running down terrorists plot
ting against his life.
The fight between liberalism and re-
action then, as later under Trepoff' S
son, was in full swing, and then, as
later, the energies of the police were
directed against the student agitation
Virtual Dictator of Russia.
Dmitri followed his fathers foot
steps. He attracted the attention Of
Grand Duke Sergius, then governor
general of Moscow, and by him was
named police master of Moscow. Ire
poff soon became Sergius right arm
in fighting the revolutionary student
agitation, of which the ancient capita
was the hotbed When Sergius was
assassinated Trepoff was named gov
ernor general of Moscow. Later h
was summoned to st. Petersburg ant
given the command of the imperia
guard and made governor general o
the city. He took up his residence Il
the winter palace and became in fact
if not in name. dictator of Russia. Al
archy prevailed when he arrived. A
uprising on a large scale was momer
tarily expected. Thousands had fie
the city. But with Trepon in con
mand the aspect of affairs changed
Troops filled the streets, and dea
walls were placarded with notice
that the street disorders would be SUI
pressed without mercy And unde
his iron hand the city became quiet.
During those trying weeks plot al
er plot was discovered and Illustrate
Two of his own nieces attempted
execute the sentence.
But in his dungeonlike room in II
center of the palace, where no bon
could reach him save by shattering
dozen walls, with the telephone col
stantly at his side, he issued orde
and received reports.
His personal courage was beyoi
all question. He had almost co
tempt for death. IT am no fool,
said to the Associated Press corr
spondent few days after he assum
the dictatorship. 81 am no fool to
do, and I propose to do it. l ha
given my word to my imperial mast
to maintain the tranquility of the Ct
and will answer for the preservatl
of order with my life"
The strain told upon him, and q
ing those memorable six weeks
lines of his face deepened and his nj
and beard became streaked with gri
He continued at his post througne
II the summer, and although there "
much political excitement, no rlot
Cured.
II Six actual attempts on the life
General Trepoff we're made WITHIN
81 last three years, and only last "
General Kazloff of the headquaru
n was assassinated at Peterhof by
rorist who believed he was firing III
NJ Trepoff.
n General Trepoti would have p'
81 years of age in December.
81 Some Are Glad.
81 Relief, almost jubilation, is the az
inant note not only among the reV'
~ uonists, but also among the ca
group. A dozen leaders styled