The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-24
,sn,,tol cable peypafches TO THE sun.

Special Gable Dispatches to THE sun.
MANCHESTER, April pa despatch from
st. Petersburg to the Guardian says that
Father Gapon was hanged in secret on
Anril 10. The correspondent adds, as is
we'll known, that after the famous march
to the Winter Palace, on "Red sunday,
january %, 1906, Gapon fled from Russia
The leaders Of the revolutionary move
ment, who live for the most part out OF
Russia and whom he then came across Tor
the first time, soon discovered hin to be
what he was, a mere charlatan, and re-
fused to put any considerable trust IN
him. ~
He, on his side, very soon saw that ne
would not be allowed to pose as a modern
Sayonarola. Therefore he determined 10
use the knowledge he had gained in other
ways and Joined the police as n spy. Inc
genuine revolutionists were not long In
inding out his treachery.
Indeed. he was rash enough to approach
a revolutionary friend of his with proposals
that be too should turn spy. Some OF the
leaders decided that Gapon was too con-
temptible a creature to take vengeance
upon and we're for drawing his claws by
III ~ lIAAll Ni'A
a confession for publication.
Certain others, and especially he whom
Gapon had tried to induce to join him,
determined upon his death, 1t was neces-
sary first. however, to convince the Iaboring
classes. many of whom still believed IN
him, of his real character.
Therefore he was invited by his former
friend to a villa in the country, where a
.bat ,noL MIA 20 was overheard
by four laborers who were members of the
revolutionary PARTY and who were concealed
in an adjoining room. Gapon was tnld
that he would be exposed and that the fact
that he was a spy would be published.
Il should deny it," Gapon replied NC
one would believe it,
Il must call a witness said the other
Canon laughed, saying, What witnesses
can you call?'
Then a door was flung open and the
wretched man was confronted by four men
who. he realized, were not only witnesses
but judges and executioners as we'll Inc
men. infuriated to madness by what they
had heard, made short work OF the business
and soon the former ~Savonarola of Russia
was dangling from the ceiling of the sitting
room. where he probably remains to this
moment
ST. PETERSBURG, April 2S.-Nothing is
known here Of the whereabouts OF Father
Gapon. but the sto. , that he has beer
hanged is not credited in official circles.
CAREER OF FATHER dAPoN.
Georges Gapon was born in Pollova II
1869, the son OF a Ruthenian peasant. II
his boyhood he was a sheepherder, bu
he showed suoh mental ability that HI
was sent by friends Of his family to- schoo
and afterward to a seminary, where HI
studied for the priesthood.
When he was in the graduating class III
was expelled for discussing conditions o
the peasantry. He entered the priesthooC
under Limitations which did not permit hin
to nave a general pastorate. About thu
time he wrote a book on Christian Socialism
which tine Government suppressed.
He vas married, but his wiie died a few
wears atterward. He then went 70 st
Petersburg to complete his studies at tn
Theological Academy. While a studen
there he acted as the head OF one OF th
branches OF an institution which had 10
its object the dissemination Of religion
knowledge and ethical teaching among tn
working classes. He often made addresse
to factory OPERATORS and finally estabIishe
the Workmen's Union.
Father Canon obtained some concession
from the Government, and 1t Is said tina
these were granted on condition that
the ]workingmen became refractory b
must use his influence with them. If Gapo
promised this he did not at least keep hi
pledge at the time of the strikes in Decembel
1904. and January, 1905. Instead he turne
his organized strikers into revolutionist
and became the leader of the movemer
which resulted in violence and massacre.
II was he that led the mob that went I
PETITION the Car at the Winter Palace o
BLOODY Sunday and which got bullet
and sabre cuts for its answer. Fathe
Canon then was called a saint by the Russia
~workingmen. His escape from death wa
called a miracle.
Father Gapon was forced to leave II
country. Although for a while he pose
asa prophet Of the cause in Geneva, Par
and London, he lost his hold upont the Russia
people. Maxim Gorky denounced him a
n faker and said that he was hand and gloN
with the Government.
Last November, while in hiding in S
Petersburg, he was quoted as saying that
had changed his views and that it was
mistake to preach armed rebellion, a demo
cratic republic and an immediate eight hot
day, In March last he was accused
betraying a young girl and of gamblin
at Monte Carlo. Gapon confessed TO Il
gambling but denied that he had betraye
tho girl, saying that he had married he
Various things of this kind, but principal
his mkewarm attitude in the matter
supporting the revolutionary movemen
caused a reaction against him