The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-06-25
THE CAUCASUS.
The Process of Russianizipg Com
quered District.


1t is precisely in the north ana west
OF the Caucasus, The regions first an
nexed by Russia, and over which the
Tchinoviks have consequently long
est held sway, that the condition of the
country is the least satisfactory. Ex-
tenstve migrations OF the indigenous
inhabitants have left il almost without
population. Great stretches of land
once belonging 10 the mountaineers
were made oyer to Cossack settlers,
and distributed among government
tunctionaries; but the latter, either
because they are upskilled in hus-
bandry or out OF sheer idleness, have
TO let their farms for the most part run
to waste, The Cossack settleds, I'M
able, for similar reasons, to make
living out of the soil, are maintained
at the expense OF the government,
and districts once in a nigh state of
cultivation and inhabited by g thriv-
mgr aasantfy orc now covered with
brushwood and almost depopulated,
aud the Wole country presents an as
pect of abandonment and ruin.
The difference between the cOudi-
ton OF the country under the rule of
the rude monntaineers and under that
oFtl Cars Gchnovniksis striking and
sadly significant OF the loss it has sus-
tanned by annexation to Russia. The
district inhabited by the warlike Ca
bards was formerly covered with su-
perb gardens and productive vine
yarde, and the natural fertility OF the
soil was increased by an admirable
system Of irrigation. But when the
Russians took possession all was
changed as by the stroke OF some
ai,uV. fsN.1a
canals have fallen into ruin,
the acacia walks have disappeared,
aud tho magnificent lime trees have
been cut down for the fires of Russian
tunctiOnariea. The traveller may now
journey for miles end find on his way
only destruction and waste.
Albeit 80 years have elapsed since
the conquest of the Caucasus, the
people, so far from becoming recon-
ciled TO the Russian yoke, continue to
leave their homes en- mGsse and take
refuge in Turkey. The history of this
emigration is eminontly characteristic
of the eystem of colonization pursued
by the Russian government. Itmight
almost seem as fits object were to de-
populate the country, for no sooner did
mountain tribe make their submits
sion than the authorities offered them
the alternative Of descending into the
valleys and placing themselves
directly under Russian rule or en-
igratiOn. Most of the mountainous
preferred emigration, though in quit
ting thor homes they had to leave
behind them their crops and cattle, all
OF which became the property OF the
COssaCk cOlonists. They made In
crowds for one or other Of the ports on
the Black Aea, hundreds dying On the |
way OF sheer want and privstion.
But in 1860 the policy OF the govern
ment underwent q sudden change. |
Seeing that the land was falling out of |
cultivation and the country becoming |
depopulated, the authorities began to |
throw impediments III the way of the |
they had formerly encour.
aged, and in 1857 it was forbidden by
special enactment. In 1873, when two |
mountain tribes demanded permission
10 emf CRATE and attempted to carry
Jut their purpose without waiting for |
IN answer, they were forced back by
ioltidr, mi the leaders arrested and ,
killed to Siberia,
On many occasions, moreover, the
5oVornmanL has aOt Kept faith with
he Circassiaus. When the Tchetch-
'ntsy were conquered, the Russian
.ommander'iu-chief Prince Bariatius.
Ky issued proclamation I'm which be
diemuly guaranteed them In tlg
lndlsturben possession OF tneir prop
rites. Yet, despite tho promise, The
.reater part OF their land, was con.
scated and bestowed on Cussacks and
tussian funCgiOnarlGs, and the IN
ortnate Tchetcheutsy were driven
ltO a corner Of their ancient domain,
here TO live as best they could. |
under the injustice inflicted
n them, these men took to hrigandage,
nd became the terror of the country. !
The object ofthese measures was, of
curse, TO Ru5SiaLsiL5 the Caucasus,
nd, by weakening and impoverishing
ne people, 90 Keep th0m in complete
objection and prevent future reboll-
pm; but their inevitable effect was TO !
auso a feeling of bitter hatred ggniust
Russian, above all against
no Russian governmental hatred I
'hich subsequent proceedings Of the
administration nave rendered atil
1Ore better and invetorate. ThoIe
re one measure and one law for the ,
russians ColOuists and another meas
re and othe laws for the Circassians.
Cor instance, the former have the
privilege Of Oicclug their own village
mayors and com Iual chiefs, while /
he commissioner set over Cir
assiau villages are chosen by the !
,olice, who naturally appoint their
'wn creatmes-mon for the most part
Utterly Ignorant Of the wants and ,
ways OF the people and hostile to their ,
e1glon. Justice is equally partial;
here Is no such thing as equality be, ,
ore the law. II q Cossack kills
native the authorities always pretend
hat the act was committed in self.
letence, and the sggressor generally
gets of scot-iree, Wheua Russian Is
he victim II is very different. In that
'ase, whether there be proof or not,
he authorities always assume that
he murderer must DO a Circassian and
punish the entire district for the fault
" one single individual. Whenever q
rhine Is committed In village the
lerpetrator OF which cannot be dis
.overed, the entire commune, some.
imes several ueighb)ring c1mmuuos,
ire held responsible and dealt with
accordingly.
Another cause OF heartburning aud
triie Is the question of disarmament,
or mountaineer disarmed il a man |
iishonored, and as the Russian colon
sis always carry weapons a native
Without is ut the mercy OF the first
)ossack he meets. Hence every
attempt 20 enforce the law in this re-
ard Is tiercely resisted and often at
ended with riots, bloodshed and re-
,ellion, The III feeling arising from
his state of things Is by no means
United 10 the Circassians. 1t is no
ess bitter on one side than the other.
\ Cossack looks upon a mountaineer
IS a savage whom II his duty 20 keep
n order, and whose lie he isin no way
,ound to respect, whilo 3 mountain
er regards a Russian "a worthless
ar, whom, when occasion offers, he
nay kill With impunity. London
Times,