The Washington times., 1909-02-03
SCANDAL IN RUSSIA
TOO HUGE TOSTIFLE
Believed Other Departments
Will Be Involved in La
/ pukhin'S Disclosures.

ST. PETERSBURG, via ENDTkUN-
5zN, Feb. Though the governments
supporters have succeeded In having
the dOunas investigation OF the secret
police postponed for some days. during
which time a special committee win
prepare report, they admit today that
there is no hope OF sitting a scandal
OF such huge proportions.
1t IS believed that other departments
than the police will become involved
sn the exposures that are being made by
q A. Lapukhin, the former director Of
police.
Still in Prison.
Lapukhin is still in the Crosses pris-
ON, but he is being guarded from as
sassination as carefully as though he
Were in the midst OF his enemies.
lie is not even allowed 10 eat the
regular prison fare for fear that an
attempt viii be made to poison him.
Closest personal friends of Premier
Stolypin are conducting the eXamina-
tion OF Lapukhin on account of StoIy-
pins refusal to trust the official investi-
gators. Lapukhin is said to have given
complete evidence that the police have
been used as tools by the reactionary
bureaucrats In plotting and executing
the assassination of those who opposed
them.
These murders, among which were
those OF Grand Duke Sergius and NJ.
Won Plehve. were charged to the ter
TOrists. but Lapukhin's revelations re-
garding Eugene Azef, the governments
spy who ingratiated himself into the
ranks OF the revolutionists, now make
sc plain that these assassiuatiOns were
engineered by Azef, VINO used both the
terrorists and the secret police in ex-
ecuting his plans.
Hold Minor Offenders.
Stolypin has already caused the arrest
OF a number of minor offenders, but he
has not yet proceeded against the most
powerful ones in this chain of crime for
fear that In their desperation, the cam
arilla viii attempt 10 overthrow the
government In the present state OF
disorganization and disI0yaIty OF the pO-
lice department It would be hard TO re-
sis such a move.
The investigators and those investi-
gated are equally terrOriZed by the
startling developments, the former by
the realization that they are in danger
Of assassination, by those upon whom
they have looked as their protectors,
and the latter from fear OF the govern
ments punishment Numerous suspects
have fed from the country.
1t was reported today that the ter
rorists had killed Azef, who fed after
his exposure by Lapukhin. III is be-
lieVed, however that had AZef been
killed the LeTrOTisLs would have adver-
used his death more extensively.
Both the social and constitutional
democratic members OF the dOuma. are
taking a leading part in the iuvestiga-
ton The socialists have documents that
show that Azef participated I'm all of
the terrorists crimes Tor the last six
years.
They have asked the minister ot the
interior II IL is not true that AzeI, as
e police agent, orga nized the fighting
branch OF the revolutionary party and
participated In it's plots as part Of the
sysIenlAIc plan 10 provoke reaction
and to justify the combinations o.
martial law and other extraordinary
measures.
The minister of justice made de-
tailed report 10 the Gar this afternoon.
regarding the disclosures made by
Lapukhlu, The Emperor is reported TO
have demanded sOIpe greater guarantee
or MS personal safety in the future.
Laupkhiu'a aunt who is chief lady-iu-
waiting 10 Grand Duchess Alexandra,
IS eudeaVOrlug 10 secure his release on
bail. IL is limited that the charge of
high treason against LapukhIu viii be
changed TO one of less gravity, owing 20
the benefit that has come from his con-
Lessiou.
1t is semi-oficiauy stated that the
Uers TO the secret police throughout the
empire 20 arrest Azef.
III found he will likely be court
plaFualed on a charge of murder