New-York tribune., 1908-01-15
TORTURE WATTS REBEL
Cars Foes Try to Keep Pouren
Custodian of Dread Secrets, Here.

REPRESENTATIVES of the New York branch of the
Russian revolutionists, it was announced last
night, would fight the extradiuon or Jan JaholI
Pouren who was arrested on Wednesday, charged
with a series of robberies and murders alleged 10
have been committed by brgands in the vicinity
of Riga nearly two years ago Although the nus
sian authorities declare that Pouren has peen
fugitive since the fall 1896, he has been attached
to the local office of the Russian revolunonlsts
since he came TO this country six months ago. ana
is regarded by the Lettish branch of the associa-
ton as one of the most valuable underground
workers.
His return Russia prisoner would give
the Cars officers an opportunity to learn some
of the most vital secrets of the preparation for
a revolution. which is to begin within year say
the revolutionsts who will appear before Uhlteo
States Commissioner Shields to-day to show that
Pouren instead of being brigand leader is reaily
a Russian terrorist and that the crimes charged
against him committed in mob riots near
Riga They also say that he cannot be held as
individual for the riots in semf-revolutionary
days
special meeting Of the Lettish branch of the
revolutionary party was held in the rooms of the
local office. at No 230 East Broadway, yesterday
when funds appropriated to prevent extradi-
tion. While Pouren posed as Jan MatIson his
real known to the revolutlontsts here
and he held of the most trustworthy places
in the work Of the organization. According to Dr
s. Ellsberg, of the revolutionary committee the
prisoner is of the best informed members of
the party and if he is taken Russia he will
be tortured until he finally gives the names and
hiding places OF revolutionists who are wanted
by the government.
The rumor that the terrorists have planned a
revolt which will exceed the last revolutionary
movement has led the government officers to
search every part of the globe for fusitives who
secretly collecting funds with which to finance
the movement, while others are working among
the peasants and in the army. where 1t is said
thousands have been recruited. Pouren worked
quietly in the province Of Livonia until he
warned that the government secret service agents
were about 10 arrest hiTa to draw the secrets of
the meetings from him.
The alleged bandit then fed to Germany and
France, where he received by the Russian
revolutionary agents Several times he narrowly
escaped arrest and was finally forced to come to
New York, where he was Immediately received
by the Lettish committee and engaged to aid in
collecting funds for the coming revolution NJ
Osal Petish, who was a member of the second
Russian Douma, identified Pouren of the
most valuable men 10 the cause and declared that
in the event of his being subjected to the torture
said TO be accorded Russian political prisoners
while under death sentence, the information he
might give could be used to such effect that at
least hundred members of the revolutionary
party would be arrested by the government Off
cials
DR.. schatlensky, of the Russian Revolutionist
party who was chairman of the meeting to aid
Pouren against the charge made by the Russian
Consul General at this port, said that the assoca-
ton had engaged counsel and would make every
effort to obtain his freedom. He added that the
charges of being g noted brigand were brought 10
make extradition certain
Pouren was remanded TO the Torabs by United
States Commissioner Shields after his arrest which
was made by private detectives said to be in the
employ of the Russian government. The charges
specify three murders. arson, robbery and other
outrases, while the prisoner is mentioned as one
of the most dangerous outlaws in the vicinity of
Riga