The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-08-07
RUSSIA'S MISFORTUNES.
Life I'm That Country n Veritable "sea OF
TrOubles.v


Russia's complicated misfortunes are
possibly unparalleled in the history OF
any country. Just before the latest
Iurko- Russian war the wretched condi-
tion of the people in many of the Cars
provinces had brought about extensive
eruptions. Then ative tribes of the Cau-
casus could not stand the levies imposed
on them in different shapes by the Rus
sian army and revolted. Being defeated,
they were transported to the northern
provinces of Russia. This proved so
fatal that of the first party of 200 exiles
one-half died in the first year. There
are now TO families, besides
300 single persons, ofthese Daghestan and
Tersk rebels on their way to exile, and
still more have been doomed to
transportation. The war with Turkey
was resorted to in the hope that it would
raise the old patriotic sentiments and
turn the minds of discontented Russians
from their domestic troubles. This no.
tion proved a mistake, and the results of
the war, so far as Russia is concerned.
were unsatisfactory. Over 200, 900 men
perished in it, of whom l8, 900 are re-
ported to have frozen to death, and the
wal expenses amounted to 800, ,0OO, 900
roubies. The Russian Nihilists have
watched each step of their enemy-the
Russian government. Thus the two
hostile powers-the Revolutionists and
Imperialists-have been carrying on
their desperate struggle, each trying to
deal the death blow to the other. In no
agricultural country is the chief product
of the fields-the grain-so much as
sailed as in Russia. The forces of ma
ture itself often turn against the public
welfare. One year the crops are de-
stroyed by extensive drought; the next
year by excessive rain, by foundations
and by hail, Then again every year, be
it too dry or too rainy, the fields are de-
vastated by clouds of locusts and beetles,
and by swarms of Siberian marmots.
For the last five years the middle and
southern provinces-the very granary of
Russia-have been one vast nest of de-
insects. The Russian millions
have a foe yet more terrifying than fam
inc. Epidemic diseases make havoc
every year in many parts of the empire.
The fatality last year from the plague
was smallin comparison with that which
occurs every year from other less heard
of epidemics. Several varieties of ty-
phoid fever, especially the so-called hun
ger typhus. and cholera are epidemic in
Russia. The young generation is de-
StrOyeu Dy ulpntner1a ana smallpox TO
such an extent that it has been necessary
to call for the aid of the Red Cross socie-
ties in dealing with them. The ever-re-
curing and extensive fires, of which we
have lately heard so much from Russia,
should not be overlooked. Statistics
show that every year no less than one
twelfth part of all the houses of Russia
are consumed in flame. Russia will
doubtless go on burning, for the present
Russia is but huge agglomeration of
material, with hardly any
fire extinguishing engines. In conse-
quence of the appalling poverty of the
masses ofthe Cars subjects, it has for
many years been impossible to enforce
.he payment oftaXes upon any regular or
orderly system. The tax collectors re-
sort to the severest measures against de-
inquent taxpayers. They are tiogged
md imprisoned, their cattle, horses, pigs
md poultry are seized and put up at
auction, and finally the house of the de-
inquent is unroofed. These are some of
he points which, for the common peo-
Die at least, make Russia veritable
. sea of troubles. ."-Philddclphia Tele-
jyUph.