Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-03
POLICE CHIEF KILLED
Russian Project AssasSinated
in st. Petersburg Today.
ASSASSIN PUT TO DEATH
Official Had Dealt Severely With
Numerous Revolutionaries.
1890 explosions IN ONE DAY
After Dissolution Of the Russian Par
Lament he Had Extraordinary
Powers Conferred on Him.
1890 EXCLUSIONS IN ONE DAY

special CaDleGram 10 Inc
ST. PETERSBURG, January 3-General
Won Der LaunitZ, project of police of st.
Petersburg was assassinated at noon to-
day He was present in his official capacity
at the Inauguration of the new hospital
for skin diseases on Lopuchinskaa street,
which was opened by the Grand Duke and
Grand Duchess Oldenburg After service
in the chapel of the hospital Generai
Launitz was escorting the duke and
duchess toward the door, when a we'll
dressed young man fired two revolver Shots
both piercing Launitz's brain. He died on
the spot An officer seized the assassin's
revolver and the grand dukes aid-de-camp
drew his sword and ran the murderer
through the body, killing him.
General Launitz was formerly governor
of Tamboff, where he dealt severely with
the revolutionaries Last August he MADE
himself very active in clearing st. Peters,
burg of persons Objectionable to the gov
eminent, whom he classed as "vagabonds.
The ST. Petersburg Gazette said at the time
that in one day alone the explosions num-
bered $500.
Had Extraordinary Powers.
After the dissolution of the Russian
parliament extraordinary powers were con-
ferred upon him. These included searches
and arrests without process OF law, sus-
pension of newspapers and deportation
without trial.
Last September Won Der Launitz refused
constitutional democratic
party on the ground that it's program did
not clearly show it's political views. and
he also refused to legalize the Octoberist
party because of the omission in its petit
ton of the address of it's headquarters
Some idea of the recent activity OF the
late project of police may be gathered from
figures which he caused to be published
December % last. 1t was then announced
that the flying section Of the secret police
had made 5SS arrests in ST. Petersburg
during the three days preceding December
Is The prisoners, who included thirty-three
women, were charged with Revolutionary
activity and Illegal election agitation
Counseled Submission.
On November % last Won Der Launitz,
acting, 1t was said, under hint from
higher authority, dispersed meeting OF
constitutional democrats in st. petersburg
which he himself had previously sanctioned.
The police authorities explained their ac-
ton by saying that the speakers would not
confine their remarks to answers TO thelr
nolitiral opponents. The leaders of the
constitutional democrats counseled qulet
submission to the police In order 10 avolo
a premature clash. hoping that meetings
Of the party would be permitted later on
as was the case in 1903.
Another Attempt to Kill.
oF lipa
was preceded by an attempt to kill DR..
Dubrovin, president of the Reactionary
League of the Russian People. A revolu-
ZIONIST attacked him on the street While
he was returning home last night, firing
several shots without effect
Gendarmes on duty at the Tsarskoe-Selo
railroad station last night arrested sus-
pect who was disguised in police uniform:
The prisoner is thought to be member OF
the assassination of Gen. Alexis 1gnatief
and Project Won der Launitz, and 1t is
believed that he was going to Tsarskoe-
Selo similar errand.
Came of Old Family.
Vladimir Won der Launitz came of an Old
family of the German nobility in the Baltic
provinces. He served with distinction dur
ing the Turkish war of 1SSI-SS, was deco
rated for bravery and in addition to hold
ing the rank of major general was one of
the equeries of the court. Previous to
his appointment as project of police in
January, 1904, Won der Launitz was gov
ernor Of Tambov for three years. He stood
high in the favor of the emperor who last
spring issued special rescript thanking
him for his services in maintaining order
in st. Petersburg. Though Won der Launtz
acted with severity against the revolution
lists he was not specially execrated per-
sonally like the late Gen. Trepoff.
The assassination of the project Of police
was part of the terrorist plot to bring
about a state of general intimidation.