Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-21

- W"u' snuKlng his nSt, MS eyes sud-
denly inilamed and kissing his words In
in serfs and human siavery-because
your own land spewed you out from q
SICK stomach, because you were one Of
the rotting sores in its inside--that had
made Russia the dying nation that she
was; because 1t was time that your
country and my country cleansed her.
self from such as you. That's why you
came. And we'll let these men Judge
. which of us they want to lead them
The nature Of the attack was 80 un-
expected that Peter was taken for
moment off his guard. A dead silence
mad fallen upon the room as the auditors
realized that game was being played
mere that was not on the cards. Peter
feit the myriads Of eyes staring at him,
and beyond them had a vision of a
prostrate figure in the corner of a
courtyard, the blood reddening his
blouse under the falling knout. They
were all Michael Kuprins, these
foreigners who stared at him, all the
grievances born of centuries of oppres-
sion. And as Peter did not speak ut
once, 1akimov pursued his advantage.
Il did not come here to tell who this
man is,' he shouted. this man who
f"''s you what liberty Is. But you
ought to know. It's your right. You
know why Russia rose and threw off
the yoke Of bondage of centuries. It
was because this man before you who
calls himself Peter Nichols and others
IKE him bound the people to work for
him by terrible laws, taxed them,
starved them, beat them, killed them,
that he and others like him might buy
jewels for their mistrcsscs and live in
luxury and ease, on the sweat Of the
labor of the people. And he asks me
why came to America 1t was for
moment such as this that l was sent
here to find him out that might meet
him face to face and confront him with
his crimes-and. those of his father
| against humanity"
iakimov paused suddenly in his
furious TRADE for lack Of breath snd in
the deathly silence Of the room there
was q sudden stir as rich brogue
Iucried anxiously Of nobody in par
ticular:
WHO in hell Is he, them"
III tell you who he is" the Rus
one of the last Of race Of tyrants and
oppressors, the worst the world has
ever known-in Russia, the down
trodden.
He fed to America to hide until
the storm had blown over, hoping to
return and take his place again at the
head Of a new government of the Demo-
Gratis and the Bourgeoisie-theG Grand
Duke Peter Nicholacvitch -
| The uproar that filed the room for q
moment made speech impossible. But
every eye was turned on Peter now,
some in incredulity, some in malevo-
lence, and some in awe. He saw that
it was now useless to deny his identity
even II he had wished to do SO, and 50
he stood squarely on his feet, staring
at Yakimov, who still leaned forward
menacingy, shricking above the tumult,
finally making himself heard.
| And this is the man who dares to
talk to you about q brotherhood of hu =
manity. just laws and equality among
men! This tyrant and son of tyrants
this representative Of political system,
that you and men like you have over
thrown for all time. Is this the mar
you'll take your orders from? Or from
the Union Of Russian Workers which
hates and kills all oppressors who stand
in the way of the rights and liberties
of the workers of the world!"
A roar of negation went up from the
muir spread from man to man. Only
those grouped around Peter, some
Americans, the Scot, Briefly, the eI-
soldier, Jesse Brown, and one or two OF
the Italians remained silent, bu,
whether in awe of Peter or of his po
sition could not be determined. But
Peter still stood, his hands in his pock
cts, firm of jaw and unruff1ed. 1t has
been said that Peter had a command
ing air when he chose and when he
slowly raised hand for silence the un
couth Reds" at the rear of the room
obeyed him, the menacing growl sinking
to a mere murmur. But he waited un :
til perfect silence was restored. And
then quietly:
"What this man has said Is true"
he announced calmly. II am Peter
Nicholaevitch. came to America as
you have come-tO make my way.
What does it matter who my fathers
were? l am not responsible for what
my fathers did before me. am only
responsible for what am-myself. II
this man in whom you put your trust
would speal; the truth, he would tell
you that l tried to bring peace and
brotherhood into the part of Russia
where l lived"
''He lies-'
II speak the truth. There people
knew that I was their friend. They
came to me for advice. / helped
them"
Then why did they burn down your
castle?" broke in Yakimov triumph
antly.
Because people such as you from the
Soviet came among honest and peace
full men, trying to make them as mad
us you'll came from Russia to find new
life, work, peace and happiness,
came to build. You came to destroy.
And I intend to build and you shall not
destroy. If the madness of Russia
comes to Black Rock it will be because
mad dogs come foaming at the mouth
and making others mad"
"A savage cry went up and a glass
came hurtling at Peters head but 1t
missed him and crashed against the wall
behind him. That crash of glass lib
Grated the pent-up forces in the hearts
! of these men, for In moment the place
was in furious uproar, the men
aligning themselves in two camps, that
of Peter and his friends much the
smaller.
Peter retreated n pace or two as
shot was fired from a revolver, but the
Scot and Briefly and two of the Ameri-
cans joined him and met the first on
slaught bravely. The handful of men
was forced back against the wall by
sheer weight of numbers, but they
struck out manfully with their fists.
with chairs, and with their feet, with
any object that came to hand, and men
went down with bleeding heads.
| Peter was armed but he did not wish
| 30 Lin anu idaa hainr 20 ,.oJ,o