A Daniel to Judgment

Lieutenant Stevraki of the former Imperial Navy was sentenced to death by the Cheka, the extraordinary commission instituted by the Soviet Government to carry on the gruesome business of 'Bolshevik justice."

Stevraki's crime is 17 years old. In 1905 he took part in the execution of Lieutenant Peter P. Schmidt, com-mander of the Russian cruiser Otcha-kov and leader of what is generally credited as the first genuine communist revolt.

On Nov. 27, 1905, Lieutenant Schmidt's cruiser was joined by nine other ships and an infantry regiment on shore, which attempted to seize the city of Sebastopol. Ships loyal to the Tsar opened fire on the rebel boats, sinking the Otchakov, the Dneiper and a transport. The remaining seven quickly surrendered, and, after several conflicts, the mutineers on shore gave themselves up. The casualties on both sides amounted to 5,000. Subsequently 39 sailors were tried, some acquitted, others sentenced to hard labor for life. Schmidt and three others were shot.

It is reported that the Soviet secret police are seeking out people concerned with anti-revolutionist verdicts during the Tsarist regime. These men, when found, are tried, usually found guilty and executed. The case of Stevraki is reported to be the first such case to be made public.