The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-21

from ST. Petersburg indicates that be-
lief prevails in many quarters there that
the DOuma will be dissolved within very
few days.
Certain leaders of the Douma are in
possession OF documents revealing
the history of the organization of the
s'Black Gang" which dates back TO
shortly after the death of Alexander III.
j became obvious at that time that there
were two conflicting currents of policy as
piring TO ascendancy, each placing its
hopes on one Of the expresses. The group
which swore to maintain the policy of
Alexander III assumed the name of "The
Union OF Alexander III" The inner coun-
ell included the Grand Duke Sergius, NJ.
Phehve, NJ. PObiedOnOstsen. and Count
Ignatieff. while the affairs of the union
were conducted Ia the name of the coUn-
Gil by a noble named Toropoff. The
union was unable TO enter upon active
operations before the assassination Of NJ.
Sipiaguin opened 10 n. Plehve the post Of
minister Of the interior, which caused the
downfall of Count (then NJ Witte, the
then minister of finance
NJ. Pobiedonostsen alone Of the above
named four pillars of the BLACK Gang
has died naturally. T0rOpOn died sud
denly, leaving behind him documents
which fell into the hands of his son, Ivan
Toropoff, who utilized the damning evi-
dence TO insure an absolutely free hand
for the operations of the outrageous
societies grouped round the monarchist
party. the Union OF Russian Men and
similarly titled groups The BLACK
Gang thus got out of hand, causing con-
siderable embarrassment TO the govern
ment, and even leading to international
complications. The members enjoy the
right of free tickets on all railways
throughout Russia; they are duly legal
ICED organizations whose badge OF MEM
bership when displayed silences all police
opposition where it does not secure the
fullest cooperation.
Lately the excesses of this body have
caused the police. especially those of Mos
COW. TO rebel against a system which
stultides their own efforts The assas5i-
nation of Dr. Jolos apparently brought
matters 20 q head. The houses and the
yard which were the scene OF the assasi-
nation and the escape of the murderers
belong TO TOropOm, who. II has been as
certained witnessed the deed out of his
peared. 1t is believed. however, that
clews have now been secured which viii
lead to the discovery of the entire con-
spiracy. One arrest has been made. The
"Black Gang have organized for Easter
what is called a crusade against sedl-
ton" 1t includes recruiting among the
lowest dregs of society for pay and free
dinners. The appearance Of the special
organ OF the union with a great black
cross on the front page is regarded as a
signal 10 begin the crusade in the 500
centers which the union boasts Of having.
The smallpox scare in Paris is less
violent than it was, possibly because the
majority of the people feel safe under
the influence of recent incubation. II
may be, too, that those who have not
been vaccinatcd are asking themselves
S. whether there is any pressing reason why
they should be. 1t is quite possible that
there never has been any reason. When
the scare was AT its height the project of
the Seine. replying 10 a question at a
meeting of the municipal council, said
that there were no more cases Of small
pOx in Paris than usual, and certainly
there was no epidemic He saw no reason,
however, 10 discourage people from being
vaccinated; it would do them no harm. The
scare was really originated by a morn
ing newspaper one day when news was
short for the sensation column Ii spread
rapidly. and presently everybody was
vaccinated, from the President of the re-
public downward. The public services
came TO temporary standstill while
the employees We're under the lancet, and
even business halted in its stride.
According to the Deutsche Zeitung,
German naval circles firmly believe that
unfavorable reports are being spread
from England regarding the battle ship
Dreadnought, in order to prejudice for
eign admiralties against that type of
vessel In the meantime. the British
admiralty is in reality so satisfied with
the Dreadnoght type that battle ships of
a similar class but of still greater dimen-
sions viii be laid down. The Deutsche
Zeitung adds the further information
that in the circles above mentioned it is
definitely understood that mot only Ger
many's new line of battle ships but also
hsr new large cruisers, viii have a dis
placement of 1900 tons, and each viii be
equipped with sixteen 2S-centimeter guns,
IN eight double towers"
Several kilograms from St. MaIo give
details of a scandal which has been pro-
voked by the discovery that adulterated
chemicals and medicines have been sup
piled 10 the French feet which sails from
st. Malo every year for the cod fisheries
OF Newfoundland and Labrador One hun
dred and seven boats were TO sail last
week, and for several days the commit
tees Of inspection appointed by the French
admiralty had been inspecting their
stores. When the time came to examine
the medicine chests. which all boats are
compelled to carry. hardly a medicament
answered the test TO which it was put
The alcohol and camphorated oils were
FAR from being of the standard demanded
'.Iodoform" was yellow powder having
anything but the qualities demanded OF
1t. In So cases out of 107 the med
icine chests were absolutely useless. The
oficialJcOmmittee of inspection has given
the information against the chemist OF
st. MalO who supplied the indictments
and it has been decided TO prosecute him
The chemist is very we'll known in the
town. and was so trusted that for many
years the committee scarcely troubled ia
examine the supplies he provided Some
of the hsherf0lk are now asking how
many of their relatives died because OF
adulterated medicines supplied during the
last ten years.
No Sunday Music in Liverpool.
Liverpool. April 20.-The Liverpool City
Council decided yesterday. by a vote OF
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