New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-11
PUNISHMENT IN SIBERIA.
DEFENCE OF THE METHODS OF THE
RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
CLARES THAT THE NIHILlsTs ARE NOT
MADE TO SUFFER MORE SEVERELY
THAN THEY DESERVE.

THAN THEY DESERVE
The accounts Of the Siberian horrors and the ter
ribc prosecutions to which the political prisoners or
Russia have been subjected have aroused widespread
Indignation In the people Of the United states and
Great Britain. The time is not far distant when two
monster petitions signed by thousands OF members OF
the AngloSaxon race will be sent TO the court OF
St. Petersburg. begging for Imperial intercession IN
behalf Of the unfortunate criminals and the abolition
OF system Of punishment in the prisons which, in the
opinion Of many. would have disgraced the period OF
the Inquistion
Russia, in this regard. however. Is not without hcr
apoogsts. The ardent defence Of the Gar ana his
! Government undertaken by the Princess Marina
! Engaltchef. In recent lectures III san
! Francisco, even gave rise to the aDSuru
suspicion in Western newspapers that she was PAID
cmSsary OF His Majesty 10 the United states, sent 10
counterfeit the effect of the lectures Of Mr. KEENAN,
and Mr. Armstrong. Ncw-York has also faithful de-
fender Of the present regime I'm Russia. Although
| H. W. Hitler. head OF the Russian department Oh
| Tiffanys store may be accused OF somewhat pro
! nounced sympathy for Russia. his apology for Rus-
STA is worthy Of serious consideration.
New Yorker by birth. he spent twenty three years
In Russia beginning with the year 1854 and was one
Of the first Americans TO the Siberian country
in days when sleds and wagons were the only means
! Of transportation lie has lived in the heart OF 81
IBERIA surrounded by exlles and criminals, and been
personally acquainted with many heroes OF siberian
| prisons. since MS return 10 America Hc Has hiduc
almost annual visits to Russia and kept abreast OF
! the developments In country whose language ne
speaks with the facility OF his mother tongue.
ain discussing this question:" said Mr. Iiillcr
| few days ago: There arc many things u be con
| sidercd. The subject i, one that covers a vast
ground and concerns people differing from us III
manners. customs institutions and traditions. yet
a people who. like own. are sensitive 10 bltter.
sharp and caustc criticism. Neither is it in any
way remarkable or unusual that people OF different
nationac. separated by thousand Of les OF distance
and hundred Of years Of history. should misludgc
another and misntcrpret their respective actions
Americans know less about the true condition OF
Russia than about other country Of Europe.
Until recent it has been to the majority of
them q sealed book which few men attempt to open
THE PAST MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
ain nbiccting the country n singing criticism in
the supposed light of recent events. Russian history
should not be forgotten. Russia Is following in the
wake up other countries it is at present behind the
times. Two hundred and fifty year, Of Tartar op
preston terrible burden to carry. 1t is an
lncumbus which ever since has weighed upon tho
breast OF the country. That heather oppression has
been forgotten by tho world yet It's effects
would have been equally disastrous to France, Ger
many England, Italy And where Is the country
which, during the last quarter OF century. Ia, ad
vanccd rapidly emancipated Itself com
pletcly from tho manacles Of traditionl Mighty have
been her stride, toward the universal goal of pcrfec
ton.
THE present ruler Of Russia IS a man Of progress.
It is folly to him, personally, OF cruelty, or
the possession Of hard nature. A contrary state
mont Is true. No ever had puier. truer love
for his subjects, nor sincere desire 10 advance
their interests and increase their general welfare
No living ruler Is deserving Of respect. He IS
OF strong passions. and. politically has been the
enigma Of Europe Not even Bismarck. with all his
nnc,sc, was able 10 tell III, plans or guess his nten-
lions Yet the world wonders at his apparent pro
cras,inat!on and asks why he does not grant re-
forms FOR which II believes hi, people are camoring
Those questions are moro easily asked thln
answered. The world knows what Alexander did and
tried to do for his people lie freed the sers before
We freed our slaves introduced trial by Jury, and at
the time OF his death had ullsc ready 10
sign granting the people representative Govern
mcnt. But what his reward Despite his efforts
to better the condition Of hi, people and alleviate
their hardshlp he cruelty murdered after seven
attempts upon his life had been made previously by
people to whom he the best Of friends His son
came 10 tho throne imbucd with the same love Of
country and people possessed by his father and Just
As anxious for the ameloration Of their condition as
was he But, judging from the dire results of
liberal and radical reforms. it is but natural
that he believed them premature and felt convinced
that the Russian people were not ready for their en-
Ioymcnt. ID was but natural too. that rcprcSsive
measures were enacted when Of freedom were
Of no avail.
NIHILlSM AND ITS HISTORY.
"Thc beginning, Of Nhilism innocent be
cinnings quarter Of century ago it was quito
the fashion TO be Nihllst. Tie girls who wore thelr
hair short and the boys who allowed 1t to grow
long were NihillSis. Any one who affected
an unusual style or manner Of dress bore thc
same name 1t was looked upon as a joke
pnnr nNp -
bluestocking However. things have changed; the
movement has become serious one.
But with the NihilStS of to-day have no sym
pathy. The method, they pursue and the means
they adopt are wrong. have never known one VINO
could point to any good results which the Nihstio
propagandism has brought about. The leaders oil tle
movement do not seek proscytcS among men OF
mature years and cool Judgment. such men do not
form the mass Of their organization. No. they
send their cmi,sarics into the best families OF to
Empire and seducc their girls and boys INTO Joining
their ranks. Thousand, Of the good families OF the
Empire have 10 be filled with lasting bitterness
against them because Of this. The feelihg' ana
passions of the young are played upon. But such
proscytes. many Of whom have questioned have no
idea Of the fundamental encts of their organization.
could respect them. "a could all sood hussahs' II
they sought their converts among the mature Boys
and girls do not accomplish reforms. many OF them
live 10 repent however their Youthful folcs.
While travelling to Moscow last spring made the
ACQUAINTANCE OF Russian professor Who admitted That
In his Younger days he had been a rabid Nillst. !
lie had seen the Of his ways In time, but re-
crrtted even them the fate Of two boy companions |
who had been drawn into secret plots and sent To
Siberia IA muse upon their misguided zeal. A young |
friend Of my own placed under the care Of a |
Youthful school teacher who had imbibcd so to speak,
NihI,tlc sentiments. She soO% affected. But |
the school teacher went 10 Siberia aftcrw ard married
there aud rcga.ncd her senses. In letters to her
former charge she begged the young girl TO forget ,
her teachings the evil and fasty of which she had
realized with maurcr Judgment and advancing years
She too has changed her Views.
BRINGING THE QUESTION TO AMERICA
"Thcse Instances. showing that IT Is the young who
are affected a rule. might be maSnlfcd almost in
definitely, but they will suffice 70 illustrate my point
They are Influenced by the theatrical character OF
I'm k |