New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-22
BOMB UNIVERSITY .
FREE LECTURE COURSES.
Eleren Russian "ChemistS" Captured
an Rad at TeriOki.

s.. Petersburg. July 10 (SpeciaD.-The trial Of
eleven Russian students, which is going on at
Terioki Finland, near the Russian frontier
discloses the extraordinary fact that the ter
ror!sts had established near Teriod a regular
university for bomb users. with lectures deiiv-
cred by qualified professors and continuous
stream OF ardent, studious youth pouring toward
the place from all parts Of Russia. The build
ms wherein the young idea thus taught
not only how to shoot. but also how to prepare
bombs. was villa in a lonely spot near the sea
side. The attention of the Finnish police was
first drawn TO this villa in May last by the
crowds of students repairing to 1t on some nys-
ferrous errand. by the strange silence that
reigaed there in the daytime and the strange
activity at night. when the windows were lit up
with dull red glow which shone ominousv
over the waters of the Gulf
IN consequence of these peculiar indications
and Of the urgent requests of the Russian secret
police the place was raided. Eleven students
were captured. and some bombs and a great
collection of expensive. up-to-date chemical ap-
paratus was seized. The trial OF the prisoners
began before a Finnish judge on July 3. the
charge being simply unlawful preparation Of
explosives" The accused persons, whose ages
ranged between seventeen and twenty-five
bore themselves unconcernedly. The rector
The Of a Lutheran clergyman and former
student at ST. Petersburg University. Neimann
ncnchalantly confessed that since childhood he
had taken the keenest interest IN chemistry
especially in far as that science deat Win me
preparation OF explosives. For purely scleh-
tIfc purposes he had established near IerloN
q laboratory whittier came youths who We're
,,ey,-ie loon on knowing the best and quickest
method Of preparing powerful doses Of dynamite,
nitroslvcerine pyroXyline and similar Interesting
Aro+l,er Of the professors and directors Of the
school was N. Tcheshsky. formerly a student
a, Moscow University. When the Judge asked
,rcbeshsky # he shared Neimann's purely aca-
demic ardor for the preparation Of explosives
Tcheshsky smilingiy admitted the soft impeach-
nent. Even when I was a schoolboy" he IN
nocently remarked. Il took intense interest
= chemistry. Wonderful science. isn't 1t, sire"
He complained that unsyTnpathetic policemen,
Incapable OF approaching scientific genius, had
closed a little chemical laboratory he had opened
some time ago in Moscow and had imprisoned
him for six months With a flush Of honest
pride on his face Tcheshsky further Informed
the Judge that he had succeeded in preparing
twelve different sorts Of dynamite. Asked to
give estimate as an expert in such things, Of
the amount OF dynamite which could be made
from the chemicals seized in the university
BY she police, Tcheshsky answered twelve kilo-
grams"
All the accused students denied that they
wanted 10 make bombs They were Mortified al
the suggestion. When confronted with the col
lection OF bombs and internal machines which
had been found their premises they gazed at
Them open mouthed for moment. as II they
had never seen such things before and finally
said that these singular objects had been acct
dentaIv left behind by visitors.
About twenty persons were attending the free
lectures at the time the police raid was made.
but as new students were always arriving and
full fedged undergraduates always going away
with diplomas Of course), IT was somewhat cir-
AcuIt for the court 10 get at the exact number
Of students There were only two classes; one,
g nreraratorv class whetein only chemistry was
studied. The other an advanced class where
lectures were delivered on the theory Of explo-
sves The Judge asked Kanenetsky q young
Polish member Of the group # II, had ever by
anv chance occurred 10 him that there was any
thing illegal or, so to say, abnormal. about this
school whereto the Pole who seemed surprised
and hurt answered. "Of course not kaInenet-
sky also admitted his ardent love for science.
and when the Judge asked him. gruftiy, w nat
use did you want TO make OF your knowledge OF
cbernistrv?' he replied, somewhat hestatingly'
well sir you see, sir. wanted, as matter
Of fact. 70 enter the Russian army. 1 had the
intention Of entering the artillery school IN 81.
Petersburg
Cynlv those who know the feelings with which
The Russian student regards the Russian army
can fully appreciate this joke, but KaFnenetskys
manner was so intensely serious and conadeAIlai
that nobody n court laughed
Witch q youth Of eighteen. also admitted MS
intense desire 10 learn chemistry Ihat was
why he had made a bee line for TeTioki as soon
as he had heard that free lectures on chemistry
were being delivered there. These enthusiasts
seem 70 have all learned OF the existence Of this
school from hints dropped in students eating
houses IN St Petersburg. probably by agents or
The schocl beating I'D" new pupils. The case
viii continue on July % The Russian police
have asked the Finnish authorities TO hand over
the prisoners. as they were evidently plotting
against the government and not engaged IN any
small local scheme Of terrorism.