Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-01-05
OFF TO SIBERIA.
suFFERINcs or THE czAR'S SUB
JEcTs DOOMED TO EXILE.

of Esespe-s Gecting scenes.
Exile in Siberia has ceased to have many
Of the horrors it once possessed, for the
reason that the family and friendly ties in
Russia are not what they are in most
countries, and the people who commit
offenses against the crown are rlore
desperate and determined than they used
to he. Still there are many patriots with
families who prefer death to life exile in
Siberia, fer in many instances the family
will not accompany the exile: and since A
Siberian exile is legally dead and his wife
Is instantly allowed to renarrv. the lot i,
a very hard one.
Since Russia is many times longer ex-
panse Of country than the United States,
and Siberia is in its northern extremity,
the trip OF the exile is tedious one. The
time required is from six 10 twelve weeks.
Exiies may choose their own mode of emil
grafton if they have money with which to
meet their expenses, and hence some ar
rive at their destination much sooner than
others. From the moment Of sentence the
subject is under the care of officers. Exiles
are modified at Moscow, and have few
days in which TO close up their affairs, say
their farewells and prepare for the
journey.
The exile who can afford to do so and
there are many persons of wealth and III
fuence who thus meet imperial contempt
-equips his own private carayan, has
hveried or special guards, passes through
the villages on the way, faring sumptu-
ously, for he has certain time In which
to report to his officer, and makes Of usu-
ally sad journey one not altogether devoid
- al.
however, is chained to the string Of con-
victs, loaded into rickety vehicles at the
end Of the rail or water trip, and numbers
along ike funeral procession, going
around settlements, and seldom being al
lowed stop Their fare is salt meat or
fish, black bread and tea Patriots, con-
spirators, thieves, murderers and persons
convicted of every crime are linked to-
gether, travel ON the same level, fare
alike, sing the same songs if they do not
have the same thoughts, and occupy the
same country for life
IL is generally believed outside OF Rus
STA that all Siberian exiles are required
to work in the mines. This is not tcue.
Only portion are sentenced to the mines
those who are condemned to hard labor.
Exile in Siberia means, as Il general rule,
only enforced life in Il certain eXpanse OF
country. The government allows n pen
sion to the exiled sufficient to scantily
clothe and feed them. The allowance il
about six roubles mouth, or less than
50. This will procure a place to s,ecp
and coarse food. Once here it is next to
impossible to escape. The exile in the
first place is landed in the heart of wild
country, surrounded by wild animals,
little or no civilization, and it is out OF
the question to think Of escape. even
though the exile is provided with food
and raiment for the long Journey,
Once in Siberia the exile is the same as
in Jail, with the exception that lie has the
open air and plenty Of room in which 70
move. inasmuch aS no firearms, except
ing those in the possession Of the officers,
are allowed in the country, and the colo
MES are kept small, it is not now pos ible
for a successful uprising. If the eXiles
were permitted to commngle freely, get
together and had an opportunity to or
ganize, even without arms. they would
make frequent trouble, for they are gcncr
ally in desperate frame Of n,ld. In the
first place. he bulk of eXiles are persons
who have offended the throne, and they
are moved to the ofTcnse through Il desire
to check the wrongs against the people.
They are frcnzied by despot!sm People
of this character have no re.snrd for life
ard no fear of death. The Nlhilist who
destroyed Alexander III n few years ago
was willing to be destroyed ut the same
time All who have moved against II
royal LIFE in Russia have been willing to
die for their acts.
Quite "a many army and other officers
are stationed in Siberia to guard The cxles
as are in the military and naval services
of the United States. So extreme have
been the punishments of the eA les. and so
unjust, and so many innocent persons
have been cxilcd that many of the govern
ment's officers are becoming Disguised
Should Russia become engaged in a war
which would lessen the Siberian forces
sufficiently to warrant an instruction it
would surely come, and tie system Of eX-
lie would he no more. 1t is maintained
because it is dreadful mode Of punish.
meut and enables the government to drag
net many of its subjects and suppress all
open dissatisfaction Mt comparatively
small expense. 1t would require an
enormous outlay TO provide prisons for
the eNiles AS it is, they are dumped into
country they cannot leave, where they,
are safe, and given n pittaLce to exist
upon. Their mode of existence must be
pfoNiueu ny themselves.
Some very affecting scenes are witnessed
at the departure Of colony of eXiles from
Moscow From there they start upon
their journey every Sunday afternoon
Those not found guilty of the most heir
Gus oflenses are permitted to go about IN
preparation without the presence of An
officer. There is no danger Of escape for
il is almost impossible to eluCle the iii
and N
death. The prisons are on Sparrow hills.
where Napoleon',. army hivou&ckpd The
families and friends OF the eXilcs are pres
ent. There is waiting and moaning and
floods of aqonizng tears. Mothers. wives,
fathers, brothers. sisters. friends and kin
dred remote assemble and bid the same
farewell a criminal receives when he
marches to the scaffold. There are fire.
quent baptisms and blessings from the
priests.
Among the most numerous class in ST.
IBERIA are the writers. The authors Of
books, newspaper articles, and teachers Of
seditious sentiment, rs well as Those Who
would take the forum for free or con-
stitutional government, find early refuge
in the north. Landed in Siberia. il is the
ambition of the educator of public opinion
to tell the outside world his condition and
the horrors of the country. Here one
could find sufficient foundation for any
number of romances and heroic acts
Various schemes are resorted to to get
letters to friends. Occasionally in the
columns Of newspapers outside of Russia
appear letters from Siberian exiles detail
ing life there, and they are enough to har-
row the soul, but it has little effect upon
the authorities. Indeed, | am told that
they would not object to-the publication
of these letters within the empire, rs they
take pride in keeping up the repuiul ion Il
the country. since to reflect upon life in
exile has IL wholesome influence on wcu.d
be Nihilists. Cor. New York Sun.
The Bank of England.
The Bank Of England doors are now so
finely balanced that clerk, by pressing
l. y.