COMING REIGN OF TERROR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 45, 22 February 1905, Page 5

COMING REIGN OF TERROR.

j VIEWS OF WARSAW CLERIC.' ; »»» — AN IRRESISTIBLE. MOVEMENT ~ • ■■■■ ._v»~;. ■ EARLY CONCESSIONS LIKELY. «»> INTERVIEW WITH THE CZAR. OPPOSED TO REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT

[NJZ. Press Association.—Copyright.]

REVOLUTIONARY STUDENTS. REMAINXMG "OH STRIKE." A VIOLENT DEMONSTRATION. ST. PETERSBURG, February 21. The students of St. Petersburg University, who are ''on strike" as a protest against the massacre on January 22, have, at the request of the authorities, held a meeting at the university to consider whether they should resume their studies. The hall was crowded, and it was soon apparent that the students were determined to remain on strike. Students delivered violent speeches, in which they denounced the massacre. Banners inscribed, "Death to the executioners" were displayed. A life-size portrait of the Czar, which hung in the hall, was torn down and trampled upon.

A Canon of the Greek Church in Warsaw expresses his view that the revolutionary movement is now irresistible, and that something worse than the Reign of Terror in France may be expected. Meantime there are reports of imminent reforms, the most tangible that is forecasted being the calling of a parliament of the Zemstvos for the anniversary of the emancipation of the serfs (March 3). Against this is the interview of M. Tolstoi, son of the Count, with the Czar himself, in which His Majesty stated his reluctant opposition to representative Government. Other news describee a violent revolutionary meeting of St. Petersburg students, and the proclaiming of martial law at Tsarkoe Selo. COMING REiGN OF TERROR. WARSAW OANON INTERVIEWED. AN IRRESISTIBLE REVOLUTION WORSE THAN FRENCH tnPBUBAVAI.. (Received 7.44 a.m.) ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 21. Canon Chelmieki, of the Chapter of Warsaw, has been interviewed. ia regard to tile prospects of the popular aaovemeat in Russia. In the coui*se of conversation tJic ecclesiastic declared that he shuddered at the view that was growing in his mind tSiat a revolution was now irresistible. "In my opimion," Uβ said, " the popular revolt wMdi is now bat in its infancy ■will be •urorse in its horrors than the French Revolution with its lieisja of Terror. And that fact is, I believe, realised everywhere except in St. Petersburg." " Hence it is," added -fcsio !?&ther, " that the nobility and the middle classes are nnanimons in demanding reforms which, they perceive can alone avert the consequence* of a general upheaval." EARLY CONCESSIONS LIKELY. A PARLIAMENT OF ZEMSTVOS. FOB SERFS' ANNIVERSARY DAY. (Received 7.44 a.m.) ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 22. It is announced with seine an* tliority that the Czar is now fully awake to the argent need of early concessions to the people, and that an early announcement id probable. The chief Hieve, it ia stated, -will be the convening of a Parliament of the Zemstvos, or representative local bodies, for the date of the forty-second anniversary of the emancipation of tine serfs, which taJtes place on SXarch 3. THE CZAR INTERVIEWED* BY TOLSTOI'S SON. CONSTITUTION AH EMBARRASSMENT. (Received 8.51 a.m.) ST. PETERSBURG, Teh. 21. A sosi of Coiint Tolstoi, the famous writer and social idealist, has had an audience with the Czar, in which he urged the summoning of an assembly composed b£ nobles, clergy, bnrghers and peasants. The Czar replied that personally he 'was js.ot reluctant to concede reforms, and to abandon some of his prerogatives, if he were convinced that they were for the nation's welfare, but a constitution and a representative Government will only embarrass and not relieve the people. " Therefore," said His Majesty in conclusion, "my duty is to stand I sentry against such demands.* .

It was resolved that the strike should continue.

A resolution demanding a constitution for Russia was carried.

The speakers predicted the spsody downfall of the autocracy, unci said they welcomed the workmen as their allies i'u the cause of freedom. They recommended the establishing of a national militia a.s a guarantee against the excesses of the Government. Two of the professors have joined in the strike. THE PROVINCIAL MOVEMENT. (Received 8.51 a.m.) ST. PETERSBURG, February 21. A general strike has occurred at Slonim, in the Grodno district, in sympathy with the St. Petersburg strikers. Fifty arrests have been made. SAFEGUARDING THE CZAR. ST. PETERSBURG, February 21. Martial law has been proclaimed at Tsarskoyc Selo, where is situated the Summer Palace of the Czar. The Czar has received many threaten ing letters, and special precautions ha\ been taken to protect him. It is at the request of the Czar thai. Prince Henry of Prussia, brother of the Kaiser, is proceeding to Russia. _ AMERICA AND CONDOLENCE. NEW YORK, February 23. The assassination of the Grand Duke Sergius has been discussed in the United States Honse of Representatives, in reference to a message of condolence sent by the Czar by President Roosevelt. Mr. R. Baker, a representative for New York, and British by birth, caused a sensation by denying in the House that the people of America had been shocked by the assassination. He added that President Roosevelt was not justified in sending a message of'condolence while overlooking the massacres . which had shocked the American people. Mr J. W. Maddox, member for Geo-^ia, said the Democrats disapproved of *^h:s damnable assassination." and also of its causes, since they did not believe in slaughter. The remarks of Mr. Maddox were received with applause. SERIOUS RIOT AT BAKU. LONDON", February 21. A prisoner at Baku, in tlie Caucasus, attempted to escape recently, and the guards fired and killed him. A riot followed, in which many people were killed and injured.