RIOTING IN RUSSIA

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4311, 21 March 1901, Page 5

RIOTING IN RUSSIA

OUTBREAK IN THE CAPITAL-, REPORTS FROM”DISAFFECTED DISTRICTS. BRUTALITY OF THE COSSACKSST. PETERSBURG. March I'L A great riot occurred on.tho No.vsky Prospect, one of tho principal streets of tins city, owing to the military preventing tho celebration of the anniversary of the death of a heroine who was the victim of political tyranny. Arcvolutionary proclamation, headed “Down with the Czar; down with the rotten officials,” was circulated broadcast.

All the military police in St. Petersburg were required to restore order. Countess Tolstoi has protested to r.he Holy Synod against the ban of excommunication under which her husband, tho famous author and reformer, has boon placed, Tho rioting of students lately reported was prompted by their sympathy with tho persecuted author. Workmen in tho city have now joined in tho outbursts of the students.

Reports from Kazan, a town of some 150,000 inhabitants, on the banks of the Volga, about 660 miles south-east of St. Peters burg, and tho chief intellectual centre of Eastern xiussia, tell of serious conflicts there between the rioters and the authorities. The Cathedral was the chief scene of tho struggle. Tho rioters wore ejected from tho building by the soldiery, after fierce fighting. Tho Cossacks used their whips 'upon the crowd with brutal ferocity, and t.evorajl women and children were crushed to death.

Seven hundred students have been arrested for complicity in the riot. About one hundred students have protested to tho Holy Synod against tho sentence of excommunication, and have petitioned the Metropolitan to have them, excommunicated as well. They also assembled in the Cathedral, and made a violent display, smoking, shouting, whistling, and upsetting tho images, while preparations were being made for the Communion service.