THE TRIAL OF THE NIHILISTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 629, 6 May 1882, Page 2

THE TRIAL OF THE NIHILISTS.

The New York Herald's St Petersburg special says : —The Court commenced sitting at half-past one. : The tribunal submitted to the defence 63 questions to which to which it was to reply. Counsel for defence remained in consultation until after four o’clock. They signified their acquiescence, with the exception of two alterations, which the tribunal allowed. After adjourning for dinner the tribunal entered into deliberation at six o’clock. During the recess it had become known that -the advocates for the defence had quarrelled. They were still disputing violently when they re-entered the Court The tribunal resumed its sittings at a quarter past eleven. There then pc- ' curred a curious incident. The President, who maintains strictly the exclusion of the public, perceived . two strangers in Court. “Who are these people?” he asked of the Huipser. The latter replied that they had been introduced by M. Nebokoff, Minister of Justice. “Expell them,” rejoined the President ; “we know no Minister here. I alone am master in this hall.” A few hours before the President had one of the Emperor’s aides-de-camp, Colonel Nestowich, expelled for attempting to sketch the defendants, and another person for trying to take down the 63 questions put by the prosecution. Only twelve people were present during the last day’s proceedings, counsel and accused, of course, not included. Among them were Prince Schokovrokoff, Prince Demedoff of Sandonato and the Minister of Justice. The prisoners were brought into Court escorted by gens d’annes. They appeared quite unconcerned, and several evidently had difficulty in refraining from bantering the judges. The 63 questions to which they were called on to reply were mere outlines of the charges elaborated in the indictment, with few exceptions. All the questions were replied to affirmatively. The sentences were then passed on the prisoners. Nothing worthy of reihatk occurred while the sentences were being read. The prisoners listened calmly, and made no sign. When, however, they were asked “ whether they had anything to add to their defence,” Teterka turned to Merkouloff, the informer, who had denounced Emiliainoff, and struck him in the face, saying, “ Take that from your fellow-prisoners.” Terentieffs answer to the President was a cough and a burst of ironic laughter. The prisoners sentenced to be hanged are the woman Lebedoff, and Michaeloff Kolodkewich, Trigonia, Baraniakoff, Haneff Klatotchnikoff, Isnaeff,. Ernilianoff, and Markeanoff all pf whom were convicted of complicity ,in the assassination of the Czar. The rest, were sentenced to indefinite terms of: penal servitude, except Luskig, whose term is four years. The sentence will f be read over to the prisoners once more on Sunday. There is no appeal from, the decision of the Judges, as the Senate is the Supreme Court. They will, however, be submitted to General Ignatieff for his approval. The priso- ; ners may then petition the Emperor for respite. It is rumored that Alexandroff, Emilianoffs counsel, will be transported for having used seditious lan-; guage in his address. Hessy Helfmann, whose removal was announced lately, died in the fortress of St Petersburg several days ago of illness contracted during her accouchement.