The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-01-29
Notorious Russian Revolutionists,
TchaikovSky and Breshkov-
skaya, in Tolls.
CONVICTION ALMOST CERTAIN
Cars Government Has Connected
Them With Long Series of Crimes
and Chain Of Evidence Against
Them is Strong.

therine Breshnovskaya the noted Rus
sion revolutonists and terrorist agl-
tatcrs, is set for next week and as
the time for the hearing approaches
the interest in the trial. already in
tense in Russia as well as in the
United States and England. i" growing
more acute every day. 1t is almost
foregone conclusion that both de-
PENDANTS will be convicted, as the
government seems to be determined
to make an example of the two revo-
lutionists whose influence is greatly
feared by the reactionary element.
Even the most optimistic friends of
the accused feel constrained to admit
that only the fact that both defen-
dants are over sixty years old may,
to some extent, mitigate the rigor of
their sentences.
1t is unfortunate for the revolu-
tionists that, thanks to the thorough
system of espionage maintained by
the police authorities of the country,
the Russian government is in pos
session of a strong chain of evidence
supported by scores of police spies
in the ranks OF the revolutionists and
renegades among the members of ter
rorist organizations throughout the
empire The joint indictment against
Tchaikovsky and Nine. Breshkovskaya
which was served on them on Decem-
ber 25, is a document of fifty-eight
pages and contains a minute account
of the career of the defendants, emu
merating a long series of acts tending
to show that both accused were revo-
lutionists of long standing and prom
inently connected with revolutionary
agitations and terrorist plots In var
ious parts of the country. The charges
are supported by depositions of wit
nesses, mostly renegade revolutionists
and police spies. Particular weight Is
given to the connection of the de-
PENDANTS with the conferences of the
central revolutionary committee at
which plans for armed uprisings and
terrorist plots were discussed.
Tchaikovsky Is quoted as making
speeches in favor of regicde. and
Mrs. Breshkovskaya as avowing par
ticipation i'm the preparations for the
assassination of Won Plehve, Grand
Duke Sergius and Constantine Pob-
jedonoszev, procurator general of the
Holy Synod. Both, II is alleged. were
members of the Peasants Union and
melted agrarian disorders in various
parts of Russia. The indictment Sc
,parately charges Tchaikovsky with
having visited the United States in
1867 to arrange for the shipment of
arms to Russia and to collect funds
for revolutionary purposes.
The testimony which charges Tchai-
lsovsky with melting the murder of
the Gar rests OH the proceedings Of
the social revolutionary conference at
Tammersfors. Finland, in March, 1907,
at which the renegade AZeff assisted
as an advanced revolutionary leader.
while he was furnishing daily reports
to the Russian police at the same
time. ,r - a-
The court before which Tchaikovsky
and Mrs. Breshkovskaya will be tried
consists of the presiding judge, OFF,
cially representing the government, and
one delegate each from the noble, cit
izen and peasant classes. The case
has created profound interest in the
United States and Great Britain and
some time ago a petition, signed by
five hundred prominent citizens OF
New York Chicago. Boston and Phil
adelphia was sent to Premier Stoly-
pin, requesting that the two defendants
be given an open and public trial, "in
accordance with the time honored
principles of justice In all nations"
In view of the fact that justice Is
practically unknown In judicial pro-
ceedings i'm Russia, especially I'm cases
where the defendants are suspected
or known revolutionists, and of the
additional fact that the government
and the police authorities feel ex-
trcmely bitter against the accused,
little hope Is entertained for fav-
orable outcome of the joint trial.
Tchaikovsky and Nine. Brcshkovskaya
have both visited the United States
lnnd have nOstS OF trienus Hnu SYM
pathizers in that country. who will
anxiously await the final result. Nine.
Rrcshkovskaya has spent the two
years since her arrest In December
OF 1897 In the terrible dungeons of the
fortress of Saints Peter and Paul.
Tchaikovsky spent but n short time
I'm the same fortress, when his health
broke down and he was released on
$4,000 bail. furnished by American
and English sympathizers. lie lived
quietly in the outskirts OF ST Peters
burg and for few months In the
crlmea. to recover his shattered
health. He has collected much tcs-
tlmony and hopes To be able To prove
allbls I'm many instances.
TchaIkovsky was one of the plon-
GERS of the revolutionary movement In
Russia and founded the first revolu-