Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-01-19

make frequent trouble. for they are
generally in a desperate frame of mind.
In the first place, the bulk Of exiies
are persons who have offended the
throne. and they are moved to the e.
Tense through desire to check the
wrongs against the people. They are
frenzied by despolism. People Of this
character have no regard for life and
no fear Of death. The Nihilist who
destroyed Alexander IL n few years
ago was willing to be destroyed at the
same time. All who have moved
against a royal If. in Russia have
been willing 10 die for their acts.
Quite as many army and other
officers are stationed in Siberia TO
guard the exilcs as are in the military
and naval services of the United
States. So extreme have been the
punishmen:s Of the exiles, and so I'M
just, and so many innocent persons
have been cxiled that many of the
governments officers are becoming
Disguised. Should Russia become en-
gagged in a war which would lessen the
Siberian forces sufficiently to warrant
an instruction it would surely come,
and the system of exile would be no
more. 1t is maintained because it is
dreadful mode of punishment and en-
ables the Government to drag-net
many of its subjects and suppress all
open dissatisfaction ut a comparative.
ly small expense. 1t would require an
enormous outlay to provide prisons for
the exiles. AS it is, they are dumped
into a country they can not leave.
where they are safe, and given pit
lance to exist upon. Their mode of
existence must be provided by them
selves
American and English excursion
lists sometimes extend their trips to
Southern Siberia. and have a pleas
ant journey. Here the climate is very
like that in Finland and old Russia.
Towns, small cities and beautiful resi-
dences are seen. In places there is
active life and enterprise. the offspring
not only of the better class of exiles,
but immigrants
Some very affecting scenes are wit
messed at the departure of a colony of
eXieS from Moscow From there they
start upon their journey every Sunday
afternoon. Those not found guilty of
the heinous otfenses are permitted to
go about in preparation without the
presence of an officer. There is no
danger of escape. for it is almost i'm
possible to eludc the officers, and an
attempt to escape means death.
The prisons are on Sparrow
Hills. where Napoleon's army
bivouacked. The families and friends
of the eXiles are present. There is
wailing and moaning and floods of
agonizing tears. Mothers. wives,
fathers. brothers. sisters. friends and
kindred remote assemble and bid the
same farewell criminal receiv es
when he marches TO the scatfold
There are frequent baptisms and
blessings from the priests. When the
exile looks back upon the spires.
stecplcs and dome, of Moscow he bids
the world adieu. as did the condemned
who pass over the Bridge of Signs.
Among the most numerous classes
in Siberia are the writer's. The au-
thors of books, newspaper articles and
teachers of seditious sentiment, as
well rs those who would take the
forum for free or constitutional gov
eminent, find early refuge in the
North. Landed in Siberia, it is the
of the educator of pub
lie opinion 10 tell the outside world |
his condition and the horrors of the |
country. Here one could find sufii- |
cient foundation for any number OF
rOmance, and heroic acts. Various |
schemes arc resorted to to get letters
to friends. Occasionally in the col
nmns of newspapers outside of Russia
appear letters from Siberian eXiles |
detailing life there. and they are
enough TO harrow the soul. but it has
little effect upon the authorities. In
deed, l am told that they would not |
object 10 the publication of these let
ters within the empire. as they take
pride in keeping up the reputation of
the country, since to reflect upon life
in exile has \ wholesome influence on
the woull-be Nihilists. So. Peters,
jurg Cor N T. Sun.