Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-23
THE CAUCAR0s.
iThe Process of Outstanding Conquered
District.

1t is precisely IN the north ana west ol
the Caucasus, the regions first annexed
by Russia, and over which the Tchinovniks
have consequently longest held sway,
that the condition OF the country is the
least satisfactory. Extensive migretions
of the indigenous inhabitants have left II
almost without population. Great
stretches of land once belonging to the
mountaineers were made over 10 Cos
sack settlers, and distributed among gov
ernment functionaries but the latter
either because they are unskilled IN nus
bandry or out Of sheer idleness, have TO let
their farms tor the most part run TO waste.
The COssack settlers, unable, for similar
reasons. to make living out OF the soil,
are maintained at the expense OF the gov
eminent and districts once IN nigh
state OF cultivation and inhabited by
thriving peasantry are now covered with
brushwoOd and almost depopulated, and
the whole country presents an aspect OF
abandonment and ruin.
The difference between the condition OF
the country under the rule Of the rude
Inountaineers and under that OF the Cars
spchinovniks is striking and sadly signiti-
cant of the loss it has sustained by anpeX-
alton to Russia. The district inhabited
by the Warlike Cabards was formerly COW
cred with superb gardens and productive
VINEYARDS, and the natural fertility OF the
soil was increased by an admirable sys-
tenn of irrigation. But when the Russians
took possession all was changed as by the
strock OF some wicked enchanter's wand.
The canals have fallen into ruin, the aca-
cia walks have disappeared, and the mag
nifcent lime trees have been cut down Tor
the fires Of Russian functiOnaries. The
traveller may now journey for miles and
find on his way only destruction and
waste.
Albeit thirty years have elapsed since
the conquest of the Caucasus, the people,
so far from becoming recOnciled to the
Russian yoke, continue to leave their
homes en- masse and take refuge in Tur-
KEY, The history of this emigration is
eminently characteristic Of the system Of
colonization pursued by the Russian Gov
eminent. 1t might almost seem as II It's
object were to depopulate the country,
for no sooner did a mountain tribe make
their submission than the authorities Of
fered them the alternatives OF descending
into the valleys and placing themselves
directly under Russian rule or emigrat-
ing. Most Of the mOuntaineers preferred
emigration, though in quitting their homes
they had to leave behind them their crops
and cattle, alr of which became the prop
erty OF the COssack cOlOnists. They made
the Black sea. hundreds dying on the way
of sheer want and privatiOn.
But ia 1880 the policy Of the government
underwent a sudden change. Seeing that
the land was falling out OF cultivation
and the country becoming depopulated,
the authorities began to throw impedi-
ments In the way Of the emigration they
had formerly encouraged, and in 1867 II
was forbidden by special enactment. In
Inf r1oh
permission to emlgrate and attempted to
carry out their purpose without waiting
for an answer, they were forced back by
soldiers, and the leaders arrested and ex-
lied TO Siberia.
On many occasions, moreover, the gov
eminent has not kept Faith with the Cir
cagsians. When the Tchetchentsy were
conquered, the Russian COMMANDMENT
chief Prince Bariatinsky. issued prOcla-
nation in which he solemnly guaranteed
them in the undsturbed possession Of
their properties. Yet, despite the prom
Use, the greater part Of their land was
cOnhscated and bestowed on Cossacks
and Russian functiOnaries, and the unf0r-
tunate Tchetcnentsy were driven into a
corner Of their ancient domain, there to
live "a best they could. Smarting under
the Injustice inflicted on them, these men
took 70 brgaudage, and became the terror
OF the country.
The object of these measures was, Of
course, 70 Russianize the Caucasus, and,
BY weakening and impOverishing the peO-
pie. 70 keep them in complete subsection
and prevent future rebellion; but their in
evitable effect was to cause feeling OF
bitter hatred against everything Russian,
above all against the Russian Government
Ia hatred which subsequent proceedings
of the administration have rendered still
more bitter and inveteTate. There are
one measure and one law for the Russian
colOnists and another measure and other
laws for the Circassians. For instance,
the former have the privilege Of electing
their own village Mayors and communal
chiefs, while the commissioners set
over Circassan villages are chosen by the
police who naturally appoint their own
creatures-men for the most part utterly
ignorant OF the wants and ways Of the
people and hostile 70 their religion. JUS
tice 10 equally partial; there is no such
thing as equality before the law. III a
Cossack kills native the authorities al
ways pretend that the act was committed
in self-deiense, and the aggressor gener-
ally gets OF scOt-free. When a Russian
Is the victim it Is very different. In that
ease. whether there be proof or not, the
authorities always assume that the MUIR
defer must be Circassian and punish the
entire district for the fault OF single in
diyidUal. Whenever a crime is committed
in village the perpetrat0r OF which can
not be discovered, the entire commune,
sometimes several neighboring COM
munes, are held responsible and dealt
with accordingly.
hlAnother cause Of heartburning and
strife is the question Of disarmament, for
q mountaineer disarmed is "a man dishon-
cred, and as the Russian cOlOnists always
carry weapons native without Is at the
mercy Of the first Cossack he meets
Hence every attempt TO enforce the law in
this regard is fiercely resisted and often
attended with riots, bloOdshed and rebel
lion. Theill feeling arising from this state
Of things Is by no means limited 10 the
Circassians. II is no less bitter on one
side than the other. A Cossack looks
upon mOuHtaineer as savage whom il
Il his duty 10 keep in order, ana whose
lie be IL no way bound 10 respect, while
7" mountaineer regards a Russian as q
worthless cur, whom, when occasion Of
fers, he may kill with impunity.