The daily gazette., 1879-09-11
POLITICAL EXILE.
THE HORRORS OF SIBERIA.

THE HORRORS or SIBERIA.
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 visited
the various penal est ablishments Of Rus.
STA with an official legitimation. He bad
been to Tobolsk; after which he had to
make q long dreary journal (?) In
wretched car, until high mountain rose
before him. In its torn and craggy flank
the mountain showed colossal opening
similar tothe mouth of burnt-Out crater.
F-tid vapors, which almost took away ]
his breath, descended from it.
Pressing his handkerchief upon bis
lips, Mr.. Lemke en- cred the opening OF
the rock, where he found large watch
house, with a picket of Cossacks. Hav-
ing shown his papers, he was conducted
by guide through long, very dark and
narrow corridor, which, Judging from its
sloping descent, led down into some un-
known depth. In spite of his good fur,
the visitor felt extremely cold. After q
walk of some ten minutes through the
dense obscurity, the ground becoming
more and more soft, vague simmer Of
light became observable. ave are in
the mine" said the guide, pointing with
asignigcant gesture to the high iron cross
bars which closed the tavern before
them.
The massive bars were covered with
thick rust. A Waterman appeared, who
unlocked the heavy iron gate. Entering
room of considerable extent, but
which was scarcely mau's height, and
which was dimly lit by an oil lamp, the
visitor asked, "Where are -" ain the
sleeping room of the condemned! For
merly it was productive gallery of the
mine; now it serves as O shelter"
The visitor sbuddered. The subter-
ranean sepulchre, lit by neither sun nor
moon, was called sleeping room. Al
covs-like cells were hewn into the rock !;
here, on couch of damp, half rotten
straw, covered with a sack-cloth, the un-
fortunate sufferers were to repose from
the days work. Over each cell cramp-
iron was fixed, wherewith to lock up the
prisoners like ferocious dogs. No door,
no window anywhere.
Conducted through another passage
where few lanterns were placed, snC
whose end was also barred by an iroI
gate, Mr.. Lemke came to a large vault
partly lit. This was the mine. A d. at
ening noise of pickaxes and hammers
There he saw some hundreds of wretch
ed figures, with shaggy boards, sick y
faces, Redeemed eyelids clad in ta'ters
some of them barefoot, others in san
dals, fetteied with heavy foot chains
No song, no whist ling. Now and Their
they sh, ly looked at the visitor aud hi,
companion. The water drlpped from
the stones the tatters of the convictl
were thoroughly wet. One of them,
tall man with suffering mien, laboret
hard with gasping breath, but the stroke
enough to loosen the rock.
"Why are you here" Mr.. Lemk,
asked.
The convict looked confused, with al
air almost of CONSERVATION, and sieutl,
coniiLued his work.
at is forbidden to the prisoners" sal,
the inspector, "to speak Of the cause o.
their Punishment p ~
Entombed alive; forbidden to say
why!
"But who Is the convict?" Mr.
Lemke asked the guide, with Low
voice.
at is Number HAP the guide replied
laconlcally.
! "This 1 see," answered the visitor
"but what are the mans antecedents
TO what family does he belong ?"
he is count, replied the guide,
, well known conspirator. More, regre
to say, cannot tell you about Numbe
, Hap
Tha visitor felt as If he were stif1ed il
the gravelika atmosphere-as ifhis ches
were pressed In by q demoliacal night
mare. He hastily asked his guide t,
return with him to the upper world
Meeting there the commander of tn
military establishment, he was obligisR
ly asked by that officer
"Well, what impression did our pena
, establishment make upon your"
Mr., Lemke stiffly lowing in silence
, the officer seemed to take this as KIN,
, of satisfied assent, and went On
Every industrious people, the men be
low; are they not"'
"I3ur with what feelings" Mr.. Lemk
, answered. smust these unfortuuate
, look forward TO q day of rest aft or tn
, weeks TOLL"
, "Restl" said the officer; convicts mus
always labor. There is no rest for them
They are condem ned to perpetual force
labor; and he who once enters the min
never leaves Ill"
: "But this is barbarousls'
! "The Officer shrugged his shoulder
i and said "The exiled work daily 70
twelve hours; on Sunday too. The.
must never pause. But, no, am mis-
mit,edito tbem-at Easter time and OF
the birthday of his Majesty the Emper
or."-Karl Blind in the COntt mporar
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