Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-11-16
The Horrors Of Siberian Exile.


OF the treatment of political exiles in
Siberia have before me thrilling de-
scription from the pen of Mr.. Robert
Lemke, German writer, who has Wis
tied the various penal establishments of
Russia with an official legitimation.
He had been to Tobolsk; after which
ne had to make long, dreary journey
in wretched car, until high mount
ain rose up before him. In its torn
and craggy flank the mountain showed
colossal opening, similar to the mouth
of burnt-out crater. Fetid vapors,
which almost took away his breath, as
cended from it.
Pressing his handkerchief upon his
lips, Mr.. Lemke entered the opening of
the rock, where he found large watch
house, with q picket Of Cossacks. Hav-
ing shown his papers he was conducted
by & guide through a long, very dark
and narrow corridor, which, Judging
from its sloping descent, led down into
some unknown depth. In spite Of his
good fur, the visitor felt extremely cold.
After walk of some ten minutes
through the dense obscyrity, the
ground becoming more and more soft, a
vague simmer OF light became OBJ
servahle. 1--WE are in the mine!" said
the guide. pointing with a significant
gesture to the iron cross-bars which
closed the cavern before them.
The massive bars were covered with
a thick rust. A watchman appeared.
vino unlocked the heavy iron gate.
Entering q room of considerable es-
tent, but which was scarcely q mans
height, and which was dimly lit by an
oil-lamp, the visitor asked: where
are we?' "In the sleeping-room OF the
condemned! Formerly it was a pro-
dUctive gallery Of the mine; now it
serves as shelter"
The visitor shuddered. This subter-
ranean sepulcher, lit by neither sun nor
moon, was called a sleeping room. Al
covc-like cells were hewn into the rock;
here, on a couch Of damp, half-rotten
straw, covered with sackcloth, the IN
fortunate sufferers were to repOse from
tn" days work. Over each cell O cramp-
iron was fixed, wherewith to lock up tie
prisoners like ferocioNs dogs. No door,
no window anywhere.
Conducted through another passage,
where few lanterns were placed, and
whose end was also barred by an iron
gate, Mr.. Lcmkc came to o large vault,
partly lit. This was the mine. A DEAF
enlnS nOlsO OF pickaxes and hammers.
There he saw hundreds Of wretcI1ed
figures, with shaggy boards, sickly faces
Redeemed evelids; clad in tatte1s, some
OF them barefoot, others i'll sandals, fet-
tered with heavy foot-chains. Nc song.
30 wlistling. Now and then they shvly
looked at the visitor and his companion
The water dripped from the stones; the
convicts were thoroughly wet. One Of
them, 8 tall man with suffering mien,
labored hard with gasping breath, but
the strokes Of his pickax were not heavy
and firm enough to loosen the rock.
why are you here?" MIR. Lemke
asked.
The convict looked confused, with an
air almost OF CONSERVATION, and silently
continued his work.
1t is forbidden to the prisoners
said the inspector, g to speak of tie
cause Of their banishment!"
Entombed alive; forbidden to say
why!
But who is the convict" MIR. Lemke
asked the guide, with low voice.
It is number l14!" the guide re-
Piled, laconically.
This I see," answered the visitor
hut what are the mans antecedents :?
Tc what family does he belong?"
He is u Count" replied the guide:
a wel].known conspirator. More, I re-
gret to say, / cannot tell you about
Number 1l4!"
The visitor felt as ii he were stifled
IL the grave-ike atmosphere-as if his
chest were pressed in by demoniacal
nightmare. He hastily asked his guide
to return with ham to the upper world.
Meeting, there the commander of the
military establishment, he was obliging-
~ asked by that officer:
Veil, what impression did our penal
establishment make upon you?"
-4I. hamiSo sttfly bowling in silence,
the officer seemed to take this as q kind
Of satisfied assent, and went On:
"NeEy industrious people, the men
below; are they not?"
"Du5 with what feelings" Mr.. Lernke
answered, must these unfort,,nates
look forward to Il day OF rest after a
week OF toil?"
"Eost!" said the officer; "convicts
must always labor. There is no rest for
them. They are condemned to perpet-
nal, forced labor; and he who once en-
ters the mine never leaves i'll"
But this is barbarous!"
The officer shrugged his shoulders,
and said: THE exile works daily for
twelve hours; on Sundays, too. They
must never rest. But, no; I am mis-
taken. Twice year, though, rest is
permitted them-at Easter time and on
the birthday of his Majesty the EN-
peror."--Karl Blind, IN the Co1atempo-
rdyy RevieaU.