The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-06-15
OFF TO SIBERIA.
suFFERlNGs OF THE CARS SUB
JEcTs DOOMED TO EXILE.

tho Wealthy Exilc-Fate Of the Poos
Convict-Life In neutrality-suspicious.
Of Escape-AMectins Scenes.
EXilein Siberia has ceased to have many
OF the horrors 1t 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
offenscs against the crown are mora
desperate and determined than they used
to be. Still there are many patriots with
families who prefer death to life exile in
Siberia, for In many instances the family
will not accompany the exile; and since a
Siberian exile Is legally lead aud his wife
is instantly allowed to remarry, the lot IL
a very hard one.
panse OF country than the Cnite.l States.
and Siberia is in its northern extremity.
the trip of the exile is a tedious one. The
time required is from six to twelve weeks.
E.xiles may choose their own mode Of emf.
grafton II they llave money with which to
meet their expenses, and hence some mr.
rive Mt their destination much sooner than
others. From the moment Of sentence the
subject is under the care of officers. Exilcs
are modified at Moscow, and have u few
days in which to close up their affairs, shy
their farcwells and prepare for the
journey.
The exile who can afford to do so--antl
there are many persons Of wealth md ill.,
utehce who thus meet impcrial contempt
".equips his own private caravan, has
liveried or special guards, passes through,
the villages on the way, fnring sumptu-
ously, for he has certain time In which,
to report to his officer, and makes Of n usu-
ally sad journey one not altogether devoid
Of pleasure. The poor man or woman,
however, Is chained to the string of con.
victs, loaded into rickcty vehicles Mt the
end OF the rail or water trip, md numbers
along like funeral procession, going
around settlements, and seldom l,eing al
lowed stop. Their fire IL suit meat OF
fish, black bread and tea. Patriots, con-
spirntors, thieves, murdercrs and persons
convicted Of every crime are linked to.
gether, travel on the same level, fare
alike, sing the same songs II they do not
have the same thoughts, and occupy tho
same country for life.
1t Is generally believed outside Of Rus.
sin that all Siberian exiles are required
to work III the mines. This Is not true
only portion are sentenced to the mines
those who are condemned to hard labor.
Exile in Siberia means, as general rule,
only enforced life in certain expanse Of
country. The government allows pen.
sion to the eXilctl sufficient to scantily
clothc and feed them. The allowance il
about six roubles mouth, Or less than
%. This will procure place to sleep
and coarse food. Once here, It il 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 IL 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 tho exile IL the same as
i'll jail, with the exception that he has the
open air and plenty Of room in which 10
move. 1nasmuch us no firearms, except.
ing those IN the possession Of the officers,
arc allowed in the country, md the colo.
MES are kept small, 1t Is not now possible
for II successful uprising. II tho exiles
were permitted to commingle freely, get
together, and Ind an opportunity to or
gunizc, even without arms, they would
make frequent trouble. for they are gener.
ally i'll desperate frame Of n,nd. III the
first place, ts,e bulk Of cxiles arc persons
who have offended the throne, and they
are moved to the ofrense through desire
to check the wrongs against the people.
They are frcnzied by tlespotism. People
OF this character have no regard for life
ard 10 fear Of death. The Nihilist who
destroyed Alexander III n few years ago
was willing to be destroyed ut the same
time. All who have moved against 4
royal life in Russia have been willing to
die for their acts.
Quite rs many army and other officers
are stationed in Siberia TO guard the exiles
as are In the military and naval services
OF the United States. So extreme have
been the punishmcnts Of the en- les, and so
unjust, and 80 many innocent persons
have been exiled that many Of the govern.
ment's officers nre becoming disguised.
Should Russia become engaged in war
which would lessen the Siberian forces
to warrant all insurrectiOp it
would surely come, and the system Of cx-
lie would Ike no more. It Is maintained
because it is u dreadful mode Of punish.
mcnt and enables the government to drag.
net many Of its subjects and suppress all
open dissatisfaction at a comparatively
small expense. It would require an
enormous outlay to provide prisons for
the eNiles. AS it Is, they are dumped into
IL country they cannot leave, where they
are safe, and given pittance to exist
upon. Their mode of existence must he
provided by themselves.
Some very affecting scenes arc witnessed
at the departure Of II colony of cxiles from
Moscow. From there they start upon
their journey every Sunday afternoon.
Those not found guilty Of the most helm
Gus offcnscs are permitted to 90 about in
preparation without the presence of an
officer. There is no danger Of escape. FOX
i, is almost impossible to elude the OIL
GERS, and an attempt to escape means
death. The prisons are on Sparrow hills,
where NapoleOn's army bivo,iacked. The
families and friends Of the exiles are pres.
cnt. There Is waillng and moaning and
floods of agonizing tears Mothers, wives.
fathers, brothers, sisters, friends aud kin
lrel remote assemble and bid the same
farewell criminal receives when he
marches to the scaffold There are FREE
quent bmptisms and blessings from tho
priests.
Among the most numerous class in ST.
IBERIA are the writer's. The authors of
books, newspaper articles, and teachers OF
scditiouS sentiment, rs well as those who
would take the forum for n free or con.
stitntional government. find early refuge
in the north. Lautled In Siberia, it Is tho
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 roinancea aud heroic acts.
Various schemes are resortel to to get
letters to friends. Occasionally in tho
columns Of newspapers outside Of Russia
appear letters from Siberian exiles detail
ing life there, and they are enough to hnr.
row the soul, but it has little effect upon
tho authorities, Indeed, I an, told that
they would not object to tho publication
Of these letters within the empire, as they
take pride IN Keeping up the reputation Il
t1ln tu.nptrv Sfrrn Ia r.,fiort ,,.,,,,, y:Ho :.