The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-10-09

II Z
Gov. Curtin Relates oono AnsoAoass 81
tie nsssiss Assesrst ~.
In the house postofice the other
day, writes the Washington CORE
spondent Of The Indianapolis Journal
some Statesmen were discussing the.
trial Of Riel, the rebellionist in the
Northwest province, vino has been
sentenced to death for conspiracy and
treason against her maiesty's govern
ment. Among them was representative
Curtin, of Pennsylvania, ex-governor
and ex-minister to numerous foreign
countries.
81 should not care to have my life,"
said Gov. Curtin, Chang in the balance
OF many of the courts of foreign coun-
tries, and especially courts-martial.
The tribunals of Russia are very
oppressive, and the people who
are called upon to defend them
selves against treason. conspir-
acy, or even disrespect to the gov
eminent, have little chance for life. It
is almost sure death to be charged
with anything against the car of Rus
STA. / remember an instance which
came under my notice while l was
United States minister to Russia,
which shows the oppression. An
American of considerable prominence
and q good deal of wealth, who was
travelling over the world, came to ME
with q letter. He made my head
quarters his own, and showed him all
the courtesies 1coul6. He was quite
independent and American, l found,
however, i'll his observations about the
czarish government, and seemed to
understand the courtesies required to-
ward the ruler and his subordinates.
Zone day, while the American was in
St.P Petersburg with me, continued Gov.
Curtin, "wetook q stroll on the leading
thoroughfare at time when the pop.
ulace was out in force for drives and
walks. LISA custom strictly adhered
to that the head shall be barred and
the people shall bow in courtesy to the
czar when he drives through thes treets.
When we were out the car passed our
party VINO were on ioot. lie was III
his carriage accompanied by numer-
GUS attendants: Everyone raised his
nat and bowed except my American
friend with me. The car recognized
me and my friends, ana also the one
who DID not salute him.. l saw that
the discourtesy was observed, ana
turned TO my trend when the cavai-
cade had passed ana SAID: You made
a great mistake III not saluting tho
car. On, replied ne, i don't care
anything about that.
Ihe next DAY note came TO me to
appear at the foreign office. l went"
"1ou were out OH the street yester-
day when the car passed through ON
ms drive" .4
YES. replied.
You had some friends with your"
YES, Sir.
lone OF them did not salute the
car!
~ peileve not.
Weil, you had better ask him to
come down mere, and apologize or
explain MS action. mat Will be satls-
factory,
"Ot course, | was greatly embap=
rassed, and promised to have my
friend coll and make the amend hon=
orable II he would do so. But do you
know that fellow wouldn't do it, No,
his american obstinacy showed it.
SELF, even to mullshness, He SAID
he Wouldn't DO 1t; hedidn't propose to
apologize for failing to salute the car;
ne had done nothing wrong, and MOTH
ing to apologize Tor. This was COM
munlcated to the foreign office, with
my regrets. ! could do nothing more.
Inc very next day my friend came to
me with great document rom the
RUSSIAN government. he said he
wanted IT translated. had it d9ne
toy h1M: IN was q, q notice g to skip:
"'Oh! but shallnot doit henalye=
ly replied, y am guilty OF no crime.
and ! shall remain here as long as
wish.
"a few evenings aiterward, l learn,
ed, some officers called at the hotel
and took my friend away. He was
never heard from after That. idonot
know whether he was sent to Siberia,
to prison, or executed"
=, Gov: Curtin related an incident which
illustrates the perfection ofthe RUSSIAN.
spy system. While munster to Russia
he went to Parls. 1t was during the
f'ranco-Prassian d1ihc9lty.
Inc p president . OF o, france RANGES sent Tor h'm'
1850 " S =, o.,
4Ou nave IcCehGiy litGu a. CStih Will