Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-09-03
THE GLARS METHODS.
Gov. Curtin Relates Some Anecdotes of
the Russian Autocrat.

statesmen were discussing the trial of
Riel, the rebeliionist in the Northwest
province, who has been sentenced to
death for conspiracy and treason
against her majesty's government.
Among them was Representative Cur
tin, of Pennsylvania, ex-governor and
ex-minister to numerous foreign coun-
tries.
81 should not care to have my life"
said Gov. Curtin, chang in the bal
ance of many of the courts Of foreign
countries, and especially courts-mar-
tial. The tribunals of Russia are very
oppressive, and the people who are
called upon to defend themselves
against treason, conspiracy, or even
disrespect to the government, have
little chance for life. 1t is almost sure
death to be charged with anything
against the car of Russia. l remem-
Der an instance which came under nv
notice while | was United States min
lister to Russia, which shows the OPP
preston. An American of considera-
BILE prominence and good deal of
wealth, who was travelling over the
world, came to me with a letter. He
made my headquarters his own, and [
showed him all the courtesies [ could.
He was quite independent and Ameri-
can, | found, however, in his observa-
tions about the czarish government,
and seemed to understand the cOurte-
sizes required toward the ruler and his
suDOrdinates.
Zone day, while this American was
in st. Petersburg with me" continued
Gov. Curtin, 1--WE took a stroll on the
leading thoroughfare at time when
the populace was out in force for
drives and walks. 1t is a custom
strictly adhered to that the head shall
be barred and the people shall bow in
courtesy to the car when he drives
through the streets. When we were
out the car passed our party, who
were on foot. He was in his carriage,
accompanied by numerous attendants.
Everyone raised his hat and bowed ex-
cept my American friend with me.
The czarrecognizedm me and my friends,
and also the one who did not salute
him. | saw that the discourtesy was
observed, and turned to my friend
when the cavalcade had passed and
said: You made a great mistake in
not saluting the car Oh he re-
piled. 4 don't care anything about
that
1.-The next day a note came to me to
appear at the foreign office. went
9 You were out on the street yes
terday when the car passed through
on his driver
g Yes replied.
. You had some friends with you?'
Yes, sir.
. One of them did not salute the
czarP'
% / believe not.
We'll, you had better ask him to
come here, and apologize or explain
his action. That will be satisfactory
''Of course, | was greatly embar-
raised, and promised to have my friend
call and make the amende honorable if
he would do so. But do you know
that fellow wouldn't do itP No, his
American obstinacy showed itself, even
to mulishness. He said he wouldn' t
do it; he didn't propose to apologize
for failing to salute the czar; he had
done nothing wrong, and had nothing
to apologize for. This was communi-
Gated to the foreign office, with my re-
grets. l could do nothing more. The
very next day my friend came to me
with a great document from the Rus
sian government. He said he wanted
it translated. I had it done for him.
1t was notice to skip.
" You must leave here at once, /
said to my friend.
. OH but / shall not do it, he
naively replied. L am guilty of no
crime, and | shall remain here as long
as | wish.
"A few evenings afterward, l learn
ed, some officers called at the hotel
and took my friend away. He was
never heard from after that. l do not
know whether he was sent to Siberia,
to prison, or executed.
Gov. Curtin related an incident
which illustrates the perfection of the
Russian spy system. While minister
to Russia he went to Paris. 1t was
during the Franco-Prussian difficulty.
The president of France sent for him
and he went to the palace.
''You have recently had talk with
the ear of Russia about our foreign
trouble?" he asked.
Il have" replied the governor.
''Would you care to tell me what he
thinks of it?''
well, as a diplomat representing
the United States, | must Decline" the
governor answered.
Returning to Russia the car request
ed his presence.
you have just been over to
Francep"
''Yes, SIR"
Talked with the PRESIDENT"
"Yes."
i would you care to tell me what
2 was said about the foreign difficultyP"
Gov. Curtin declined to do so, in the
same respectful language he had en-
ployed in Paris.
''Well, will tell you what was said
to you, exactly" said the car, and he
proceeded to repeat the conversation
the governor had had. The informa-
ton had reached the ear through the
Russian spy system, which is world
renowned.