The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-29

KEENAN, and his artist companion. The former
was well equipped. His four trips had
acquainted him with the country and the Rus
sian character. The government WAS predis-
posed in his favor from the fact that what he
had written had been in q favorable light. He
now wished to investigate further. The point
was made that the prisons, etc. had been writ
ten about. and probably exaggerated 1t would
be well to correct some false impressions.
Mr.. KEENAN, was allowed to 60, but he was
told that in each case he must get the consent
OF the governor OF each Siberian provinces be-
fore he could examine his territory. Thus to
the government was left power to revoke all
privileges, if the hardy traveller ventured too
far in his queslons. It was . undertaking,
one that could have been possible only to q man
familiar with Russia, and ready to adapt
himself to the situation. The nerve skill and
the government side Co get in each case to listen
to all stories from one Sde-tnen with the
knowledge abroad that he was the guest of the
hated official. perhaps . spy, in constant inter-
course with the Governor, or stranger. to get In
communication with the exiles, draw out OF
them the stories, and this without attracting
the suspicious OF the ever-suspicious officials.
was task that demanded more than diplomacy.
There was call for strategy. ingenuity. con-
slant sensitiveness to change In demeanor OF
the men approached. The man must be in
stinct with tact.
Circumstances were in his favor. He worked
in eastern Siberia. Here were the milder exiles,
those exisd on hidden charges AS the traveller
proceeded t)est were those held to answer for
graver offeuses. Then came the extremes, the
convicts and laborers in the mines. Greater
freedom is allowed the nider ones; they can
talk with less concealment. They less
closely watched. Then with the advance into
the interior came u constant education in meth
DDS until. mastering, biz by bit as he travelled.
both the incidents in recent Russian his
tory. and the capacity to meet both
officials and convicts. he was able to gain lnfor-
nation even in the recesses OF the mines. where.
he admits he might. very likely, have failed. had
he began west and worked toward the broad
end of the big boulevard
The artists work is yet to come That will be
in the Siberian seri of articles which will fol-
low the present one showing how after the
years of solitary confinement in prison. the con-
victs are treated to ever greater cruelty in the
wilds of Siberia and the unending toll OF the
mines.
Mr.. Remnants home is full of novel and
picturesque touches. In many OF the doors the
upper panels have been removed to give way to
ground-glass Photographic views The library
walls are decorated with a collection of Russian
swords and pistols, many or over century IN
age, silvered, gildeo and inlaid with ivory.
The workmanship on the handles and barrels is
exquisite.
There is one exscutioner's sword of Damascus
steel, the blade having the owners name cut
into the gllttering steel. It is one of the most
valuable collections in the country, picked up in
St. Petersburg by Mr.. KEENAN, as he and his
wife were starting for home after the eighteen
months it took to get the Century material
The library sheiveS are crowded with Rus
sian books. reports, papers, magazines There
are Russian grammars there, but the one which
Mr. KEENAN,, the boy in the employ of the
Western Union made for himself twenty years
ago, to hello kill time in Siberian winter. has
now been published. Tolstoi 10 there and Miss
Hapgoods translation of Russian songs.
Mr.. Kennan's workshop 10 floor above one
OF the quaiutest rooms in Washington. The
ceiling and walls are draped with furs and Rus
sian stuff until the interior looks not unlike that
of Kirghsse tent. The typewriter is not far
from another group of sacros and in q book
case at side il q card catalogue to all the
books and papers the author owns The diaries.
man uscripts, note books. etc, are in a 6reproof
room away from the house.
Mr. KEENAN, still has the genius OF hard work.
and writes by day after working at night. but in
a more ieisurely manner He has tested his
constitution. There doubts that there is
iron in it, and in plenty. So he is content to
take more rest But when he talks OF Russia
his face lights mp, and he seems almost ready
for another trip when he telegraphed General
Stager that he would start for Siberia in two
hours