The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-08-03
Hartmann the Nihilist.
His Plans for Work in America-What
the Russian Nihilists Seek to Accomplish.

Leo Hartmann, the Nihilist who arrived in
this country last week. according to New
York Tribune reporter, looks something like
the typical conspirator or revolutionist. He is a
short, 1.-the man with a small head and small
hands. His hair, which is of light color, is
cut closely and stands out in all directions
from his head. He wears a full beard which
is of the same tint. His eyes are particularly
keen and bright and are continually dancing
from one object to another. Being of ner-
Yous temperament he is al, the time changing
his position, and when engaged in conversa-
tion he smokes one cigarette after another rap
idly, rolling them with his fingers. One can
see by his dress that an attempt is made to ap-
pear as little like foreigner as possible. Sun
day when talking to Tribune reporter, he
wore black alpaca coat a low cut waistcoat
and mixed gray trowsers.
When asked if he was willing to disclose his.
mission - this country he replied that he was
only too glad to have opportunity of telling
the story of the wrongs of the Russian people.
t'You ask what brings me to this country"
Hartmann continued. SIT is the desire to gain
the sympathy of the American people for those
who are struggling for li-erty in Russia. We
wish to show that change Of government is
necessary. Sympathy, once aroused, will have
an influence on the conservative element in
Russia as well as encourage the revolutionary
party. Before coming here judged from the
tone of the newspapers published in this coun-
try that the people were little acquainted with
Nihilism-much less, indeed, than in conserv-
ative England. 1t has been said that intend
ed to form Nihilist organization here. This
is utterly false. So is the report that Geneva
has been made Nihilist centre in Europe"
"Have you any fear of extradition?"
"Not the lesst," replied the revolutionist,
laughing. ''The question was never raised at
all in England while 1 was there. 1t was only
ON my arrival here that it was raised for the
first time. An attempt might be made to kid
nap me. Who can tell?"
''Just what is the ulterior object aimed at by
"The term 'Nihilist' is misleading. AS you
know it was first used by novelists to designate
certain philosophical idea. Those to whom
the term is applied are revolutionists. What
we wish is a general Congress elected by the
people to frame a CONSTITUTIONAL a word, a
constitutional government. Our party does
not want even to lay down programme for
the people. We would oppose nothing that
they desired"
"Is the movement. gaining ground among
the intelligent claEs?"
Decidedly The desire for freedom is grow
ing among all classes The Nihilists them
selves compose the Radical party. He who be-
lieves that they are unprincpled, blood-thirsty
villains is mistaken. They are honorable men
without stain. No, you cannot understand
the matter of assassination in this country.
But you did not root out the curse of slavery
in America without heshedding of blood. Do
you think that any ruler will give liberty to
his people without a struggle on the part of the
people? The Gar is the head of the present
form of government, and as long as there is no
change the people will.suffer oppression. 1t
becomes necessary, therefore, to strike at the
head"
When Hartmann was questioned concerning
the present Gar and the policy to be pursued
toward him by the revolutionists, he seemed to
feel that he was on delicate ground. Speaking
about the policy of the present Gar he said:
"He has adopted such policy that 1t would
be difficult for change TO take place-in fact,
do not think it possible. But it is highly
probable that after his death an agitation
might result in political liberty. You ask if
the people will wait patiently until the Gar
dies a natural death. If there is no change of
policy the Gar will die; and if his successor
pursues a similar policy he will be killed, and
SO on There were eight attempts upon the
life of the last Gar. But if all countries
would show an active interest in the subject of
reform in Russia the terrorists would no longer
pursue this policy. 1t would not be necessary
Ii we depended solely upon terrorism for
bringing about revolution would have some
doubts of success. But the misery of the pee.
pie is increasing day by day, and the spirit of
revolt is increasing with the weight of their
burdens. If change is not brought vast ter
ritories in the county will become depopulated,
the percentage of deaths being greatly in ex-
cess of that of births. There is not only DO
litical oppression but social oppression. The
peasants are not able to pay their taxes with
the whole of their incomes, Ito say nothing of
supporting their families. There is a great diff
ference between the social problem in Russia