Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-06
TALK WITH srEPNlAK.
He Gives Americans Some Ideas Of Nj.
hilist Aims and Objects.

London Special to the New York World February4.
This evening, after prolonged search, discov-
cred the celebrated Stepniak, the exile from Up-
derground Russia and nihilist writer, whose
works are so well known In America He lives in
an Isolated villa at one Of the extremites OF ST.
Johns Wood. The friend Of Herr Sassalitch, Of
Sophia Perouskia, and perhaps the most promi-
nent member OF the central revolutionary COM
mittee OF Russia, is a man Of almost gigantic
stature ana OF square and massive build. He was
dressed In deep black suit. His hair and eyes
are both jetty black in striking contrast with the
morbid pallor OF his exceedingly pale face. lie
was writing when called, finishing up his new
work, entitled THE Russian Peasantry." Step
MAX speaks English very well said he:
! am giad 10 see you In reg I'd to the petition
which nave sent 10 the United States Senate beg
glng Tor the rejection OF the eXtradition treaty
which Will be shortly placed before them for their
forget where live have never been interviewed
before and for obvious reasons cannot again. |
trust you, because believe you Will not abuse my
commence L want TO give the American Senate
and people some idea OF what the ninIllst party of
RUSSIA really Is, some conception OF the men wnom
this treaty classes with feons and fOrgers and TO
save them from preJudging our case.
Since the flrst rebellion against Car Nicholas in
lo<D ana tne inception OF the nihiliSt movement,
not SIX political offenders have taken refuge In
America. IL the United states links itself with
Russia by this treaty II Will become party to the
crimes OF the tyrannical car, refuse refuge and
shelter 10 those trampled upon by the iron heel OF
uespOtlsin, ana who have played a manly part pre-
lcIhS 10 give hopeless battle rather than relapse
INTO snamelnl slavery. Let me contrast two gov
ernhehtS and i think the abyss between your
ballot ana our bomb will appear abridged Your
Government Is crt stallized pubic opinion, your law
l. not the e1itge krdakhe OF which Goethe speaks,
heritage or woe from generation 10 generation,
ever changing with you at the command OF the
people ana press, as is also the complexion or your
government In the United states
take IL that the law Is codfed public opinion.
now contrast our Government. From keystone to
capotone or the deSpOtic edifce Is written the le
iehd, The Cars will be done" our Government
IS composed or those who form themselves to be
ms most obedient and INSCRIPTIONS servants.
lher term OF Office rests alone upon his pleasure.
our law, law upon which life and liberty of 100,
100000 men depends, IS the mere whlrl OF the
ruling RomanOn melted out by equally dependent
Officers. Public opiniOn has no vent, the people no
Ilght or meeting: even the right OF petltlon1ng
mas been taken away, and those hardy enough to
reclaim u are transported for their temerty The
press Is inzled, the people have no vested rights,
fate
Now, Tor the arbitrary and untrammeled arbiter
OF thelr destiny, the car, the absolute master OF
all, our hatred OF him is, OF course, merely eX-
onlclo. He is not responsible for his birth. do
not believe that the later ROmanOffS have been
very wicked or very calOus men. / believe firmly
that even the present ear Is sincere In wishing
Tor happiness OF his subjects He suffers the curse
Oh tyrants. No one will tell him the truth. His
ignorance Is his misfortune.