The New York herald., 1922-06-23
RUSSIAN MOB ENTERS
COURT, URGES DEATH
Demonstrators Accuse Moscow
Prisoners of Plotting
Against Soviet.
SPEAKERS JOIN IN TRIAL
Judge Thanks Delegates, Says
He Won't Hesitate to
Inflict Penalty.

Moscow, June 20 (Associated Press).
A court scene probably without
precedent in the worlds history de-
veloped at last nights session of the
trial of the social revolutionaries. ac-
cused of plotting against the Soviet
regime, when representatives Of thou
sands of workmen who participated in
demonstrations earlier in the day were
permitted to enter the courtroom. The
leaders demanded the highest penalty
for the defendants, whom they ac-
cused of being responsible for the at
tempts on the life of Premier Lenine,
the assassination of M. Volodarsky
and the attempted assassination of M.
Ouritsky. They also blamed the revo-
lutionists for the Russian civil war.
Among the workmen's representa-
tives was Ivanoff, who is reputed to
have captured Dora Kaplan after she
made an attempt on the life of Lenine
in 1918. In a high pitched voice he
demanded that the social, revolution
aries be made to pay the penalty. He
appeared in the courtroom clad in
grease stained jumpers.
Not Bound by Precedent.
Just as the night session was about
to adjourn Chairman Piatakoff CT the
tribunal declared he had received state
ments from the Moscow demonstrators
and delegations of Petrograd workmen
requesting permission to address the
court. Prosecutor Krylenko said he
knew this procedure, according TO bour-
geois law. probably was unprecedented.
and that Soviet Russia probably would
be attacked for permitting it. Never
theless there were many times when the
soviets had gone against old prece-
dents.
These workingmen should be per-
mitted to talk. declared Al. Kryenko.
"as We are only carrying out their
wishes
NJ. Mouravieff chief counsel for the
defense. objected that this was un-
precedented pressure on the court and
interference by on-participants in the
trial
it was revolutionary trial by workers
and peasants, the workers representa-
tives should be allowed to address the
tribunal.
Some of the defendants turned rale as
amidst the cheers OF tine spects tors,
about fifty working mem and women
mounted the platform. Eight sIokes-
men addressed the court most Of them
insisting upon the supreme penalty for
the social revolutionaries. One OF them
suggested either death or banishment
from Russia. One woman shriekingly
demanded death in the name of ~ hun
dred thousand women who have lost
husbands and sons in the civl war"
Dora KnpIan's Admissions.
{ Ivanoff pointed accusingly at the
prfsoeers ay he described in detail how
Lenine was ehot in 1918 and how Dora
Kaplar told him when she was caught
that she was glad she had removed a
person who ha,d so harmed the Russian
revolution.
Ivanoff declaued Dora Kaplan made
the statement TO him that she shot
Lenine by the orders OF the Central
Committee of the social revolutionaries
At the conclusion of the speeches M
Piatakoff thanked both the Moscow and
Petrograd delegations. telling them they
could go home certain that when the
guilt of the Individual defendants was
fixed the court would deal with them In
the proper manner but that meantime,
through the long trial procedure. the
court must be sure OF the facts.
'erhe court" he added, will not hesi-
tate to infiict capita punishment on
those found guilty Of carrying on war
fare against the Soviet Government and
there will be no mistake in sentencing
those who are Euilty and freeing those
who are not"