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Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1917, Page 2

THE BLACK HUNDRED. A term applied to the roost reactionary group of the supporters pf Tsarism. Tlie leading spirits in it were men of influence and position, who employed the most unscrupulous "means to do away with leading Liberals and Radicals. Murder, torture, and other crimes have been frequently laid at their door. They were, especially active after the unsuccessful attempt at.revolution in 1905, but they made their influence felt at all times. Their terrorism exceeded anything ever undertaken By revolutionary groups, They have been charged with being the instigators of most of the pogroms. Just previous to the fall of the Tsar they ivero again renewing their activity, but tare crushed bv the democratic forces then at work. Nevertheless, they are today an aetjvc and a dangerous power in tlio conspiracies for the re-establishment of the throne. ! THE HOLY SYNOD. The Holy Governing Synod of All the ftussias. It is the highest ecclesiastical authority in Russia, being the governing body of the Orthodox Greek Church, which has more adherents than any other denomination —in 1915 no less than eigh-ty-nine millions. Originally it was ruled by a purely ecclesiastical presiding officer, but finally the Tsar sezed this office for himself, thereby becoming the head | of Russia's Spiritual institutions, as well j as of her civil find military organisations. The actual duties of the presiding officer were, however, delegated by the Tsar to a tool designated by him and bearing the title of Procurator-General of the Holy Synad. Some of the most revolting cases of oppression, persecution and brutality in the history of Russia, were due to the activities of this official. The Synod became practically a Government Department. Not only did it' control all religious appointments and property, but it was a great factor in the political affairs of the nation. It had its spies, its n gents, provocateurs, even its assassins. Its power over jfublie opinion was prodisious. because of its 1

control of religious appointments. Nevertheless, many of the village priests in recent days, evading or defying orders tlcally, and frequently were prominent | factors in spreading liberal political ideas. | from above, became liberal-minded* poll-