Korniloft's fate is not yet decided and it will be some time before the sentence can be confirmed or remitted, No doubt there will ~many to protest against the Court's decision in the case of Korniloff and there are certain facts that cannot be ignored by the Chinese authorities. In the first place, at the recent trial it s not proved that Korniloff killed anyone after his escape from: prison. None of the witnesses called could definitely testify that Kerniloff was directly responsible for any of the deaths, whilst Korniloff on his part affirms that he did not shoot at any of the men and that it was Lomokovsky who was the actual murderer, The principle of law in all countries is that it cannot be retroactive. Therefore it is impossible to give Korniloff the death penalty for crimes for which he has already been punished and it is also a point for question whether the new decree can be applied to_ crimes which have been committed before it was promulgated. Korniloft made his escape some time before the new Jaw which includes non-treaty. foreigners among those who can be sentenced to death in China, was drawn up.
According to cne of the Russian newspapers, at the time that Kornilof was recaptured General Chu, Administrator of the Special Arca, went to see the criminal in pr: son and there was ashet by him whether he would be snot. General Chu is said to have replied ''certainly not, can assure you of that you will be allowed to live and spend the rest of your days in prison where you will have ample time to re-fleet over your past crimes."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.