St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-03-09
which we are likely to repent bitterly
in the future,
sIREHIAN ATROCITIES.

SIBERIAN N rSOCITlES.
When we come to weigh the results of
their several missions we find that
GEORGE KEENAN, has really done more
for the cause of humanity by his eS-
poSures of the horrors of Siberia than
HENRY STANLEY has done by his eX-
plolations of the dark continent. Mr..
STANLEY has made us acquainted with
a people who are dwelling in the region
of darkness, superstition and barbarism.
Yet they are people who, notwlth-
standing their benighted condition, are
comparatively happy, and luXuriate in
the enjoyment of personal freedom.
But Mr.. KEENAN, has unfolded to us a
picture of horror, degradation and bru-
tality such as the world has never
seen; and, strange to say, none but
those who inflct these brutalitieS
had the least idea of their magnitude
until Mr.. KEENAN, made his exposure OF
Siberian life. The inhabitant Of the
Congo country lives in paradise in COM
parisOn with the existence endured by
the Siberian exile. Mr.. KEENAN, is per-
forming noble mission in telling to the
world all that he has seen and heard i'll
Siberia, and it will be disgrace to the
civilization of this century if the nations
of the earth do not forthwith rise up
and protest against the barbarism prac-
ticed by the Russian government in
Siberia. The blood curdleS at the
recital of Mr.. KENNAN's sto-
rin nd XXhnn haVA
heard them we are convinced that
there has been no eXaggeration, fol
the half has not been told. The crimes
committed in Siberia for the most part
are buried from human sight, and the
world has no knowledge of them. Oc-
casionally the cries OF distress that go
up from the tortured victims of an auto
Gratis cowardly rage have been caught
up by the winds and waited to the ears
of civilization. Yet they have only pro-
duced momentary impression. In a
general way the world has known that
the Russian subject who was baniShed
to Siberia was consigned to living
tomb. We have had fragmentary &C
counts of suffering and torture
there, but we never realized the
extent or the intensity of the
torture until We were brought face to
face with it through the lnstrumentality
of Mr.. KENNAN's vivid word painting.
Now that the world knows the truth,
the civilized nations of the earth, par
ticularly those who hold to the Chris
tian faith, should unite in demanding OF
Russia a reformation in Siberian gov
eminent, and in case the Gar should
refuse to accede to the demand, then it
will be necessary to try the virtue of
gunpOWder as persuasive argument.
1t would be better that the czar should
be dethroned and the Russian govern
ment wiped out Of existence than that
the civilization of the nineteenth
century should be longer botted
by such atrocities as we know are be-
ing perpetrated in Siberia under the
sanction and authority OF the car. In
formation comes from London that fifty
emissarieS of the Russian govern
ment are on their way 10 this country
with instructions to e0unteract GEORGE
KENNAN'S influence. 1t is the highest
tribute that could be paid to Mr.. KEN
MANS ability and to his honesty of
purpose when the Russian government
deems it necessary to take these extra
ordinary measures to Offset his work.
But the car shows his utter lack of
knowledge of American character and
American sense when he supposes that
the cUuuteractOry influences he has
adopted can prevail in this county.
That Siberian business can't be CLOSED
over. Mr.. KENNAN's statements Will be
accepted as the truth, in spite of all the
emissaries that can be sent TO this coun-
try. The whole population of Russia
might come over here and tell a differ
ent story from now until doomsday, and
yet the American people will stand by
GEORGE KEENAN, in his brave fight for
the betterment of Siberia. lie is plead
ing the cause of humanity, and all man.
kind outside of Russia will respond to
his call. The American congress
should at once enter formal protest
against these Siberian atrocities, and,
if the protest is unheeded, then let the
American congress ask France, Ger
many, Great Britain and the other
Christian lands Of Europe to unite with
us in compelling Russia to establish a
humane government in Siberia.