RUMOURED MURDER OF KROPOTKIN.

Taihape Daily Times, 26 April 1919, Page 7

RUMOURED MURDER OF KROPOTKIN.

RUSSIAN REFORME WHO LONG LIVED IN ENGLAND TALE OP BOLSHEVISM.

One of world's great reformers, Prince Kropotkin, is rumoured to have been murdered by Bolsheviks. The report comes through an English manufacturer on his way home from Russia, and is quoted by Keuter from the Norwegian "Aftonblad."

Still, as Harold Williams says, ft may be premature to assume that the story is well founded. Some months ago a similar rumour was circulated and it proved to be false. Even now, when Bolshevism seems to be at its maddest, it seems incredible that even the worst of baribarians would .want Ito kill Prince Kropotkin. Tactical, if not humane, reasons would restrain them. The death at their hands of the noble apostle of liberty would injure them more than the .frail and embittered life of this veteran Anarchist thinker, who, an ardent patriot at heart, has had, in the sad evening of his long life, to mourn over the ruin of his country. It is true that from the first Kropotkin. has been a bitter opponent of the Bolsheviks, whom he has regarded as traitors not only to Russia but to the cause of liberty and true Socialism. This deeply humane feeling was revolted by the brutalities practiced by many who had once regarded him as a leader in the Social Revolution. AFTER LIFE-LONG EXILE

The sight of the collapse of the Russian Revolution tortured him. and instead of the joy of victory that Hie anticipated on his- return home after life-long exile, he has lhad to face sorrow upon sorrow.

It was heart-breaking to watch him in Moscow (say s Dr. Harold Williams) His eager and flexible intellect constantly sought new solutions, but over his heart hung the shadow of a crushing disappointment-. I remember how he sighed when someone said in his presence. "And to think that wo dreamed for years of a social revolution!?

Prince Peter Kropotkin was long known and honoured in advanced Socialist circles in England, where he sought refuge from persecution under the Tsardom because of his burning patriotism and activity in pursuit of Russian freedom.

That Prince Kropotkin came of aristocratic and. further back, of royal lineag,. everybody knows. But few are aware of how big an establishment he was accustomed to when a lad. His father, in their house in the Old Equerries Quarter of Moscow, kept his own private orchestra, piano-tuner, and, indeed, composer.