The Washington herald., 1907-04-24
ADMIT RIGA HORRORS
Russian Authorities Plead
Guilty to Accusations.
TORTURED, THEN MURDERED
Outrages on Mere Suspects of Nature
TOO Revolving 20 Print-COurt-mRr-
tiaI system Ina Empire Continues
IL DOuma Is Dissolved Before May
4-PrisOns Overflow with Suspects.

St Petersburg. April 23.-The commits
sion appointed by the Douma to investi-
gate the alleged torturing of political
prisoners at Riga has submitted a report
which was read in the Donna to-day. II
confirms tine worst stories and most of
its statements are admitted by the deputy
ministers Of the interior and justice. The
report states that a special committee WAS
appointed at Riga TO direct the fortunes.
and that the governor, with the knowledge
of the administrative authorities, put pris-
oners, many of whom were merely sus-
poets. to death without trial
Descriptions Of the tOrtures reveal
amazing fendishness praetieed on the VIC
Tins by officials acting with authority.
Some Of these are TOO abOminable to print.
Among the milder cruelties were tearing
out fingernails and toenalls and hair.
Prisons Overlooking with Suspects.
Many. after they were MANNED by ter
lures. We're taken outside the prison and
shot. Age made no difference in the
treatment An eight-year-old child was
brutally logged to compel ii to tell
the whereabouts of its father Deputies
AVN TIC AFfA4tlN ~ bFtl4tN0 anu NA-ANA
places made speeches adding confrma-
tory testimony They declared that the
prisons are overlooking with suspects who
have been awaiting trial for months.
They are supplied with only enough
bread and water TO keep them alive until
their tOrtures begin.
The deputy minister of the interior said
that the minister had ordered an inquiry
and the prosecution of those guilty Of
tOrturing prisoners.
The car gave an audience 10 NJ. Colo
win. president Of the Donna. to-day,
which lasted half an hour. His majesty
showed deep interest in the affairs Of the
Douma, including It's committee work.
He said he made It his practice to read
the stenOgrapher reports Of the discus
si0ns in the chamber
According to some reports the character
of the audience is regarded as convincing
evidence that the Teactionary campaign
against the Donna has failed for the
present.
Ask Autonomy for Poland.
The Polish national party of the Douma.
which numbers forty-six delegates. intro
duced a bill for the autonomy of Poland
Il provides for national diet. sitting ar
Warsaw, and a senate, also TO sit at
Warsaw These would appoint a secrc-
tary of state to represent them At St
Petersburg, and the Gar would appoint
viceTOy to represent the imperial dig
nifty at Warsaw The diet would control
the international administration and the
land question. but would not interfere in
foreign policy, in the naval and military
departments. or the orthodox church.
Coincident with President Golovin's
visit TO the Car at Tsarkoe-Sele to-day,
great numbers of kilograms from the
provincial authorities are reaching the
emperor, declaring that the system Of
field court-martial must be continued II
terrorism is 10 be successfully comhatted,
The system will expire automatically on
May f. unless the Douma shall re-enact
IL. which is wholly impossible. But IT,
viii continue should the Donna be dis
solved before May 4.