The Grenada gazette., 1888-01-28
OFF TO SIBERIA.
Cut OF Forever From Wife, Family
and Friends.
Lifelong sufferings Of the Cars Suhjecti
Who Arc Doomed to Exile-EscapO
Impossible, and It's Attempt
Means Death.


Exile III Siberia has ceased to hav
many Of the horr ors il once possessed
for the reason that the family an
friendly ties in Russia are not wha
they are in most countries, and tn
people who commit offcnses agains
The Crown are more desperate and dc
termined than they used to be. Still
there are many patriots with familie
who prefer death to life exile in Siberia
for in many instances the family vii
not &C company the exile; and since
Siberian exile is legally dead and hi
wife is instantly allowed to remarry
The lot is very hard one.
Usually when suspect is placed OF
examination or trial and is permitted
to make a defense he employs his at
torney under a contract like this: /
sentenced to Siberia the fee shall bt
1000 roublcs; if only years impris
onment 5000 roubles; il acquitted
10, 600 roubles. Tho trial is then con.
Quoted under the principles Of the
Russian proverb The cause is de.
cidcd when the court receives a
present." Thus the success Of the
lawyer depends upon his ability in
pleasing the judges taste in present
giving. 1t is not once in twenty times
that = prisoner suspected of crime
against the Grown is acquitted.
Since Russia is many times longer
expanse Of country than the United
States. and Siberia il in its northern ex-
trcmlty. the trip Of the exile is a
tedious one. The time required is
from six to twelve weeks Exiles may
choose their own mode Of emigration
if they have money with which to
meet their expenses. and hence some
arrive at their destination much sooner
than others. From the moment of
sentence the subject is under the care of
officers Exiles are modified at Mos.
cow, and have fcw days in which to
close up their affairs. say their fare.
wells. and prepare for the journey.
1t is not often that an exile knows
TO which part Of the immense expanse
Of territory known as Siberia he is
destined till he arrives, and inasmuch
as he is cut off from communication
with family or friends, he is like one
who drops into a chasm on Mount
Blanc or Jungfrau when be departs
for Siberia. 1t is probably well that
he is thus legally dissol we'd from his
wife, and the wife. if exiled. can no
longer claim the husband. for he or
she is absorbed by the country like a
drop OF water that disappears In the
ocean.
The exile who can afford to do So
and there are many persons Of wealth
anu influence who thus meet Imperial
contempt-equips his own private
caravan. has livcricd or special
guards. passes through the villages on
the way. faring sumptuouslN for he
has certain time in which to report
to his officer and makes OF usually
sad journey one not altogether devoid
Of pleasure. The poor man or
woman. however, is chained to
the string Of convlcts, loaded
into rickcty vehicles at the end
Of the rail or water trim.
and lumbers along like n funeral pro-
ccssion. going around settlements,
and seldom being allowed to stop.
Their fare is salt meat or fish, black
bread and tea. Patriots. conspirators,
thieves murderers and persons con-
viaed OF every crime are linked to.
ectl'et. travel on the same level, fare
alike. sing the Samc songs If they do
not haze tho sane thoughts and oc.
cnpy the samc country for life.
Ii Is generally believed, outside of
Rus ssin. that all Siberian cxiles are
required to work in the mines. This
is not true Only q portion are son.
fenced 10 the Mines those who are
condemned 10 hard labor. Exile in
siberia means, ~ a general rule, only
inforccd life In q CERTAIN cxpansc of
country. The government allows a
pension to the cxilcs sufficient to
scnntily clothe and feed them. The
allowance Is about six r0ublcs n
montl. or less than IS. This will
procure q place TO sleep and coarse
food. Once here, 1t is next to impos-
siblc to escape. Tho exile In the |
first place Is landed in the heart
Df a wild country, surrounded by wild |