Daily Republican., 1882-07-05

Regular Correspondence.
GENEVA, Switzerland, July l, 1882.
When first the Nihilistic agitation In
Russia. began to assume the proportions
of . revolutionary movement, and to
attract the attention of Western Eu.
rope, the typical Nihilist was represent
ed as q malcontent, having exclusively
in view the destruction of all existing
political and social organizations, heed
less of what might be established in its
place. The bulk of the Nlhilists have
now other aspirations than those of
mere destruction. The abolition of the
present. form of government is the one
object that unites their party and gives
1t strength and cohesion, although they
differ amongst themselves as TO the
means to be employed, their aims and
purposes are no longer confined to the
work of anlihila:iop, and the princi-
pies of pure Nihilism, expounded by
Hergen and other early writer's on the
subject, but have developed into revO.
lutionary doctrines similar TO those
which have from time agitated
France, Italy, aud other European
countries.
Those Nihiiists who have sought
refuge in Switzerland nun bered, up to
a short time ago, some two-hundred.
They ;ve lately been reduced to be-
tween Itrty and forty. With very few
exrep MS they have found the means
of earning an honest livelihood. Some
have AIKEN to trade others live from
the produce of their pen there few
professors and physicians amongst
them while the younger members of
the Nihilist refugee colony follow the
lectures of the Geneva University.
There are two or three who command
Independent means, and as many who
have not yet succeeded IN finding o
position. The latter are supported by
their more fortunate fellow refugees, a
commendable spirit of solidarity beiLg
one Of the Nihilist characteristics.
They do not all reside in Geneva. Some
Of them live higher up on the lake, at
Vevey and Montreux.
A certain number left the country
some time ago with Prince Krapotkine,
who is now in London. Vera Sass1u-
Itch has also gone away from Geneva,
and there are at present none of the
leading Nihilists In switzerland. Those
who remain-contrary to the reports
spread by the Russian government
press, and re- echoed by the German
newspapers are not engaged in plots
and cOnspiracies. They live here
quietly enough, and the authorities
have not the slightest ground for com.
plant. 1t is not true that Prince Kra-
potkine was consptring against the
Russian Government at the time he left
Geneva. 1t was the unmeasured terms
of his utterances, public and private,
involving apology of regicide, that
the Swiss Government and
caused them to take strong measures,
The Nihilist refugees In Geneva are
divided into four groups. The first
men OF paratively mod
crate views who would be content with |
the granting of Constitution. The
second group consists of "Little Rus |
slams" or those who seek to obtain the |
Rutomny or even the independence of |
Ukrania, or Little Russia. The third |
group is formed of the Poles who aim
at Polish independence. The fourth
and most influential group to which
Fr nee Krapotkine belonged compre-
bends the Socialists.
They are divided into two principal
Automatically, those who are in favor
Of thorough going Communism, are OPP
posed to matrimony, deny the rights of
and wish to see their children
brought up and ed ucated by the Com
mune; secondly, those who would be
satisfied with the partition of property.
Both factions contain number of de.
termined men, who have no fear of
leath. Others belonging tO the same
group merely advocate the theoretic
Of Socialistic doctrines and
have much in common with the German
Social Democrats. r.