NIHILISM IN RUSSIA.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4290, 30 April 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)

NIHILISM IN RUSSIA.

From Bussia several disquieting incidents are reported. General Prince Krapotkine, the Governor of Kharkoff, waa last month shot by an assassin, and ha* since died from the effects of tiie wound. Ihe determination of the Nihilists has been shown by the posting of a proclamation in which the reasons are given why his death was decreed by the " revolutionary committee." This document was found, on the wall* of many Bunas

towns, and has been distributed even in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In tbe latter city it waa openly posted on tbe walls of the University. It alleges against Prince Krapotkine, who is characterised as " the most inhuman of gaolers," various specific acts of cruelty and oppression. And it concludes — " Death for death; execution for execution ; terror for terror! This is our answer to the threats, the persecutions, and the oppression of the Government." There have also been fresh disturbances at Kiev. The authorities having been informed that a council of Nihilists was being held in the town, gendarmes were sent to arrest them. They were greeted by a discharge of revolvers. One of the police was killed, and several of them wounded. Troops surrounded the building, the Nihilists were captured, and their papers seized. A later account, probably referring to the same event, states that the police have discovered a secret printing-press. Eleven men and five women were arrested, four of the former being dangerously wounded. An important seizure was effected, including "counterfeit seals of public departments, revolutionary pamphlets, revolvers, and poniards." Another press has since been seized in St. Petersburg, and more arrests made.

The Nihilists are even suspected of using the agitation caused by the near advent of the plague for the furtherance of their schemes. In St. Petersburg there has been quite a scare, owing to the occurrence of a case of supposed plague in the city. The man was isolated, and his olothing burnt, and fortyeight healthy persons living in the same building were sent to undergo a long quarantine. It was subsequently asserted that the case was not one of plague, though having points of resemblance, and these people were set free; but the doctors are not yet agreed on the subject. It is now said that two other cases have occurred. There is little trustworthy newß from Astrachan, but the last reports speak of the abatement of the pestilence. In Europe the alarm is less, but there is no relaxation in the measures of precaution. Our own Government has appointed two medical commissioners to investigate the facts.