THE LAST SCENES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 137, 8 December 1930, Page 11

THE LAST SCENES

RUSSIAN MASS TRIAL

APPEALS FOR MERCY

GUILT ACKNOWLEDGED

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. MOSCOW, 6th December. Millions of Russians expect the death penalty for the eight accused professors and engineers in the mass trial when the sentence is promulgated on the evening of 7th December. The prisoners 5 assumed bravado has now given place to fear. "With their spirits broken under the terrific strain of the trial they have thrown themselves at the mercy of the Court in a desperate appeal for their lives. Fedotov, the oldest, is reported to have said tremulously: "I am guilty. I do not deserve mercy, but I do not want to die.a traitor's death." Bamzin, allegedly the ringleader, pitifully declared: "We are "not such demons as the prosecutor painted us, but I bow my head .in shame and humiliation. '' Sitnin, with tear-filled eyes, advanced his sufferings as a plea for mercy. He and Kuprianoff hoped they would be allowed to expiate their crime by honest work. A talking picture was being taken until the Court ordered the machine to be stopped because its noise- interrupted the speakers' utterances. There followed pathetic scenes when the accused acknowledged their guilt and appealed for mercy. Eamzin, struggling for self-control^ said: "I understand that this is my last word. I cannot lie a few hours ■before death. I have confessed fully because I believe it is the only means of atonement for my past sins. We defendants, are not here to fight or to defend ourselves, but to capitulate. Sometimes I feel it is better to die; yet there are times when I long to participate in the miracles Communism is destined to accomplish."