NIHILISM IN THE RUSSIAN ARMY.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5106, 29 May 1885, Page 2

NIHILISM IN THE RUSSIAN ARMY.

" Stepniak," in a letter bearing, date Feb. 4 last, states that the Nihilists in Kussia are quietly working to bring about a coup d'etat which will orerthrow the Government by open, though unexpected, assaults on it in the capital, and then in the principal centres of administration. They will do so by means of a military conspiracy, which is re presented us having spread with remarkable velocity. Some idea of its strength may be formed from the number of arrests which have been made of officers implicated in treasonable practices during the last three years. These have comprised 41 in the infantry, 27 in the artillery, and 14 in the navy. "Stepniak" adds that the military officers arrested have been the flower of the army, and be enumerates, for example, Lieutenant-Colonel Aschen* brenner, who is covered with orders; Captain Pochetonov, who has six decorations for valour in action; and Stomberg Tichonovik and others. Military adherents are. being gained daily, and • "Stepniak" regards the overthrow of the Government has been " within reach.'* An unscrupulous politician opposed to Kussia just now, ought not to find much difficulty in disorganising the army. A. little English gold, say, quietly sent to the Nihilists, would go a long way to solving the Afghan difficulty. .