No. 552.
Mr. Hoffman to Mr. Evarts.
St. Petersburg, February 19, 1880. (Received March 8.)
Sir: It becomes my duty for the third time within ten months to report to you a fresh attack on the life of the Emperor, accompanied by circumstances of unusual cold-blooded cruelty, for not only the life of the Emperor but the lives of his daughter and other members of his family were endangered.
In a room of the lower story at the west end of the winter palace are lodged a part of the soldiers on duty there. On Tuesday last a company of the Finnish regiment of guards occupied this room. Underneath the guard-room is a finished cellar-room, and above it on the second floor the small family dining-room of the Emperor. His usual dinner hour is six o’clock. On the evening of the 5th instant, at a few minutes past six o’clock, an explosion took place in the cellar, completely wrecking the guard-room, and killing or wounding every one in it (from 50 to 00 soldiers), and blowing in the floor of the dining-room, where all the 3hina and glass on the dining-table were shattered, and the silver plate twisted. No one was in this room.
Prince Alexander, of Hesse, being expected by the train arriving at six o’clock, dinner had been postponed on his account to a later hour.
The cause of the explosion is yet unknown. Everything is so completely wrecked in the cellar and guard-room that it is difficult to find any clew. It is evident, however, that there were no electric wires used, as at Moscow. The general impression is that one of the infernal machines invented by Thomas, a box with dynamite and clockworks, had been placed in the cellar. Little doubt at all events exists that dynamite was the agent employed.
Great excitement of course prevailed in the city yesterday. The palace was surrounded by a large crowd, and flags were hung out. In the evening there was an illumination.
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The Empress, who is confined to her room, knew nothing of the attempt till the next day, when she was told of it by the Emperor. Her health is gradually failing. The bulletin of this morning states that the disease is more pronounced, and that the cough, palpitations, and fever have increased during the week. The shock of the attempt on Tuesday evening must hasten the end, which under any circumstances cannot be far off.
I have heard from authority I believe to be good that an explosion took place yesterday afternoon at the headquarters of the “third section” or secret police. Three or four gendarmes were killed or wounded. No mention of this appears in the morning papers, and no allusion is made by them to the attempt of Tuesday evening. It is evident that the police has forbidden all allusion to it.
I had the honor to send you yesterday morning a telegram in the following words
St. Petersburg, February 18, 1880.
Evarts, Washington, District Columbia:
Explosion in winter palace, in cellar under Emperor’s dining-room, at dinner time last evening. Dinner fortunately delayed. Floor broken up. At least eight soldiers killed, fifty wounded.
HOFFMAN.
I have, &c.,