3 OCTOBER 1981, Page 15

One hundred years ago

The Daily News states that a Secret Society has been formed in Russia, having for its object the suppression of the Nihilists, or rather, of the Russian Revolutionary Committee, by all and every means, assassination included, at its head is a person of high rank, and it already numbers 900 members, commanding some £80,000. Men formerly high in the Secret Police have been affiliated, and the operations will extend to Geneva and London. The first object of the 'Holy Brotherhood' is to protect the Emperor, and punish those who threaten him; and three leading Nihilists, two of whom are named, are said to be already marked down.