A Terrible Russian Drama.

Evening Star, Issue 7309, 6 September 1887, Page 4

A Terrible Russian Drama.

The St. Petersburg correspondent of the ‘Daily News’ supplies some interesting details of the fearful crime for which twenty-three Nihilists were recently secretly tried in the Russian capital. The story was not allowed to get into the Petersburg papers, but had been pretty freely whispered about. The ‘ Daily News ’ correspondent did not trust his “ copy ” to the post, but sent it by hand, or in all probability it would never have seen the light. He says : “I have just received some interesting details of the last political trial, when no fewer than twenty-three persons were accused. On the 28th December, 1883, late in the evening, the police were informed that an accident had taken place at a small lodging-house, No. 87, Novski Prospect, and that groans were to be heard proceeding from the interior. On proceeding there it was found that though there were lights in the windows the door was shut, and nobody answered when the bell was rung. The police then ordered a locksmith to break open the door, and when an entrance was effected Colonel Soudeikin, chief of the secret police, was discovered lying dead on the ground, and bleeding from several wounds. One bullet had entered his back, and his skull was fearfully smashed. Another person, M. Sudoffski, a nephew of the murdered man, and himself a functionary of the police, was found in a state of complete unconsciousness, but still breathing. He also had his head broken open. But, notwithstanding the terrible nature of his wounds, ho recovered, and was able to furnish some valuable information to the police, as he was almost the only person who knew Colonel Soudeikin’s affairs, and could read the cypher which was found at the murdered officer’s lodging. This evidence has thrown considerable light upon the affair. Colonel Soudeikin was a most ambitious man, and was anxious to make his way with the greatest rapidity. Ho was bold to a fault, and reckless as to the means he employed to achieve his ends. “ Once he happened to arrest a certain Degaieff, formerly captain of the staff, who was a member of the Russian revolutionary party. Partly by persuasion, partly by threats, Colonel Soudeikin succeeded in inducing this Nihilist to enter into the service of the secret police. Although rigorously watched by the agents of Colonel Soudeikin, who did not place full confidence in his proselyte, Degaioff found an opportunity of asking the consent of the Russian revolutionary * Executive Committee ’ in Paris to remain in the service of the police, and received the desired permission. Colonel Soudeikin concealed from the police department the arrest of Degaieff and the arrangement which he had concluded with him. Degaieff soon commenced his double game; he denounced several of the less important members of nis party, or such members as were not considered absolutely trustworthy, and took care to send compromising papers, revolvers, poinards, etc., to them just before they were arrested, in order that their capture might seem of importance in the eyes of Colonel Soudeikin, The Colonel was much pleased at the success of his scheme, and received many congratulations and rewards from his chiefs. He soon became quite confident in Degaieff. On one occasion Colonel Soudeikin told his new friend that a workman named Skriaboff, somewhere in the province of Kharkoff, had denounced a fellow-work-man, who was also a member of the revolutionary party, Degaieff made this known at once to his revolutionary friends, and ordered at the same time the immediate murder of Skriaboff. The order was executed by a certain Antonoff, who was then denounced by Degaieff to the police, and immediately arrested. It seems that the Russian revolutionary ‘ Executive Com-

mlttee ’ in Paris after a White iknhtofehced to suspect Degaieff, itnu ordered a certain Lopatm to go to St. in order to ascertain whether their suspicions were justified or not. Lopatin was a man of about forty-two years of age ; he had belonged to the Russian revolutionary party since 1866, and it is more than probable had taken an active part in many of the attempts against the life of the late Emperor. For several years he had lived in Paris, where he was a fellow-worker with the former colonel of the Imperial Guards, Lavroff, and the former university professor, Tikhomtroff. These three men were the real editors of the well-known revolutionary paper ‘ Nar6ddnaia V6llia ’ (the ‘ People’s Will). “Lopatin entered Russia with a false passport, and with full power from the Executive Committee to act as he might think necessary after he had examined the case. He took a lodging in the RolshMa Sadhvaia street, where he lived With a young girl named Salova; He soofa made himself acquainted with the equivocal relations whiOh .existed between Colonel Soudeikin and Degaieff, and he therefore gave the latter orders to murder the Colonel. Degaieff at first endeavored to escape from carrying out the order, but was forced to submit, and at length declared himself ready to execute the sentence pronounced against Colonel Soudeikin. All the details of the murder were concerted in common by Lopatin find DegaiefL Colonel Sondeikin had some time before hired a sinall lodging at, No. 87, Revald Prospoct, wherC he held secret interviews with Degaieff whenever there was anything important to communicate. This house was selected as the spot where the murder was to be executed. Twice the perpetration of tho crime was postponed owing to unforsccn accidents, but the murder was finally fixed for the 28th December, at half-past four in the afternoon. Colonel Soudeikin was requested to call on Degaieff, who lived at 87, some minutes before 4.30, the excuse being made that Degaieff wished to show him the proof-sheet of No. 10 of 1 Tho Naroddnaia Vollia,’ which Was to be published within a few days, (joloßfel Soudeikin came, accompanied by his nephew, M. Sondoffski, and was received by Degaieff. Two accomplices—Starodvorski and Konnosheffski— were concealed in one of the adjoining rooms, ready to enter at any moment.

“It is a proof of the coldbloodedness which marked th 6 drlme that a small place was left blank in the proof-sheet of the journal which was to be shown to Soudeikin some moments before the murder. This space Lopatin had reserved fora description of the assassination. Two days after the crime was perpetrated this notice actually appeared. Colonel Soudeikin was scarcely seated before Begaieff fired o, revolver at him from behind. The Colonel sprang up, and, although seriously wounded, tried to effect his escape. But at this moment both accompliees entered the room armed With heavy iron bare. SttttodVorski smashed in the head of Soudeikin , with his fearful Weapon, and Kormosheflski knocked Soudoffaki down. Colonel Soudeikin did not fall, .and tried 10 gel out of the room, evidently ih the hope that he would succeed in reaching the anti-room where his cloak was hanging with a revolver in one of the pockets. But Starodvorski followed him too closely, and he then attempted to escape by another door, but again Starodvorski was too quick for him, and got between him and the door. A few more blows with the crowbar and the Colonel fell lifeless to the ground. Meantime Begaieff hftd disappeared immediately after he had discharged his revolver, and in bis flight had forgotten to shut the doer between the ante-robm and the staircase; whibh stood opeit during the massacre that followed. Begaieff drove to the Warsaw Terminus in order to catch the train which left St. Petersburg for Germany at 5.40. Starodvoiski and Konnoshefiski, after having washed their hands, left the lodging, shutting the door and taking the key with them. They then separated, and Starodvorski drove to the Bolshaia Sadovaia street, where Lopatin and Salova were awaiting him. There he stayed several months as their guest. Konnosheffski, however, drove to the Warsaw Terminus, where he met Begaieff, who had some few days before received a passport for abroad from Colonel Soudeikin. Provided with this, Begaieff went to Germany, but Konnosheffski only accompanied him as far as Vilna.

“The following are the names of the seven persons sentenced to death by the court - martial : Starodvorski, Konnosheffski, Antonoff, Ivanoff, Yakoupovitch, Lopatin, and the ymlng girl Salova.”

Collapse of the Slam Rebellion.

A Calcutta telegram says that the rebellion has been completely crushed. Writing on July 2, the ‘ Bangkok Times ’ gave the following account of the rebellion in its incipient stage “ Serious trouble with the rebellious and piratical bands of Haws has occurred at Luang Phrabang, near the Annam boundary. It appears that on the Bth of June, shortly after the departure for Bangkok of Krum Mun Prachak with the late expeditionary force sent to punish these savages, a large number of them returned from ambush and made a raid on the town. The consequences would not have been at all serious had it not been for the cowardice and want of tact shown by the Governor, a man over eighty yea~s old. The rebels came down in large numbers, to await, it is said, the return of their emissaries from Bangkok, who had been sent with tribute and presents to the King, but, through some stupidity or other of the Governor, two of their head men were arrested and taken to the prison. Whilst these were being interrogated, their friends outside became so turbulent that the Governor sent orders to the populace to prepare to defend themselves, and was himself the first, shortly afterwards, to rush out of the palace. A dispute then arose, and a gun was fired off by one of the Siamese soldiers, when a regular melde took place, and several men on both sides fell. After some hard fighting, the handful of troops in charge (who had, moreover, been much reduced by disease, especially malarial fever) had to retreat with the officials, and Luang Phrabang was ultimately taken by the rebels, sacked, and partially burnt. The French Consul, the Governor, and nearly all the inhabitants made good their escape. As soon as news of the affair reached Bangkok, orders were at once issued for a battalion of troops, officered by Europeans, to hold themselves in readiness to march immediately.”