MASACRE PICTURE FACINATES EMPEROR.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 44, 12 June 1906, Page 2

MASACRE PICTURE FACINATES EMPEROR.

—* — Francis Joseph has visited the studio of the painters Hans Temple and Von Kossoek, who have just finished a picture showing with extraordinary power, pathos and realism the St. Petersburg massacre of January 22. As soon as they heard the news the painters went to St. Petersburg and gathered their details at first hand. The enormous picture goes to London, and probably to America. It shows the square in front of the Winter* Palace bathed in wintry sunlight. The palace is to the right, with the Admiralty in the background, and the Peace Column towering over the bloody scene. The procession of workmen has just reached the square. There is a battalion of guards in front of the palace and a light smoke hovers over the troops, showing that they have just volleyed. Several victims have dropped, their blood colouring the snow. A sotnia of Cossacks is charging, their colonel encouraging them on. Father Gapon is prominent in front of the people. A man carrying a cross has fallen at his side and another greybeard has just dropped a bullet-riddled picture of the Czar and lies on his back dying, shaking his fist at the soldiers. A terrified mother tries to protect her children, one girl being wounded in the arm. A tall workman bares his chest and shrieks as the soldiers bayonet him. Behind the first-comers thousands press forward, unaware of their danger. The bare trees of the Alexandra Garden, whore twenty-six children were shot dead, gives finish to the dramatic scene.

The Austrian Emperor gazed silently for over five minutes at the picture, his features working with emotion.