The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-31


 Tff1is, Trans -Caucasia, Monday. Janu- ary 2s, via St. Petersburg, January So.- General Griaznoff. chief of the staff of the viceroy of the Caucasus, was mur- dcred today in a most dramatic and au dacious manner. The assassin evidently had studied the habits of his victim and lay in wait behind q wall of the Alexan der garden opposite the entrance of the palace, where a carriage was drawn up to take the general for his daily drive.
 As all suspicious persons are liable to be searched in the streets by the police and military patrols, the assassin imper- sonated a painter, carrying the bomb with which he committed the crime con- cealed in paint can. He was thus able to pass the sentry posted at the gates of the park and reached his place of am- bush without arousing suspicion. Gen eraI Griaznoff, clad in a crimson uniform and the white lambs wool shapka or cap worn by the viceroy's aide de camp. made shining target for the crouching assassin when he emerged from the pal- ace.
 Strikes General on Neck.
 As the general stepped into the car ria go the man spraDg on the wall, swung the can by cord, and the bomb. as if thrown from a sling with marvellous pre- csion sped straight to the mark and struck the general on the neck. flash of fire and terrific explosion followed and Griaznoff was literally blown out of the carriage, and with his coachman, Cossack orderly and the latters horse was instantly killed. A lady who was passing at the time of the explosion was mortally wounded.
 When the correspondent of the Asso- ciated Press reached the scene immedi- ately after the tragedy the ghastly dead still lay in the mud, Griaznoffs shape less body, surrounded by soldiers, pre- sented sickening spectacle. It seemed as if his crimson uniform had melted tito a pool of blood, in which weltered lis head, torn away from the trunk. The generals distracted widow knelt in the blood and mud beside the mutilated body.
 Beaten Into Insensihillty.
 The assassin had already been caught, beaten into insensbility by the infuri- ated soldiers, and after being loaded into drosky was being carried off to the an- cient fortress above the city, where, as Tihis is under martial law, he will prob ably be executed at dawn.
 The most intense excitement followed the assassination, as terrible punishment Is meted out by the troops to bomb throwers.
 The population fled in terror before the cossacks and other troops, who were soon out in force to clear the streets. Shortly before dark a fusilade exchanged between Tartars and Armenians produced veri- table panic, as 1t was feared that the horrors of the recent war between the races had been renewed
 Instantly all the shops were closed and thousands of troops poured into the streets.
 Was Political Plot.
 So far as ascertainable, there was no relation between the crime and renewal of the race war The crime undoubtedly was a political act of vengeance decreed by the terrorists. The identity of the as- sa ssin has not been established, but he is a Georgian and probably was selected by lot at a meeting of social revolutonists to kill General Griaznoff, as retaliation for the latter's severity in repressing the revolutionists and arresting the leaders.
 By imperial order the Governor Gen. eraI. Staroselski, and the Vice Governor of Kutais, who are alleged to have shown weakness and incompetence. if not actual treason. in dealing with the revolt of the Gurcans and Mingrellans, have been dis missed in disgrace.
 Advices from Kutais say the revolution ists have not been suppressed. Troops have been landed all along the Black Sea.